Proposal by Tony Abbott to cut immigration could send SA’s population in reverse

A PROPOSAL by former prime minister Tony Abbott to slash the national immigration intake could send South Australia’s population into reverse.

• Plan would drive immigrants to smaller capitals such as Adelaide

A PROPOSAL by former prime minister Tony Abbott to slash the national immigration intake could send South Australia’s population into reverse.

In the wake of the Liberal Party’s poor showing in the Super Saturday by-elections, Mr Abbott said the Federal Government should listen to the concerns of voters and enact popular policies, including reducing immigration.

However, SA relies on overseas migrants to offset the number of residents who move interstate.

In 2016/17, a net 6700 SA residents migrated interstate and the state gained a net 11,600 migrants from overseas.

Therefore the state’s net migration increase was just under 4900.

Some experts fear restrictive visa rules could result in the state’s population beginning to fall over the next two or three years.

Mr Abbott wants the Turnbull Government to adopt a series of policy changes, including withdrawing from the Paris climate change agreement and reducing immigration.

“The other big priority has got to be taking the pressure off our cities, and that means scaling back immigration,’’ Mr Abbott told Sydney radio.

“When you are adding through immigration alone, a city the size of Canberra every two years, is it any wonder that people are stuck in traffic jams all the time?’’

Business SA industry and government engagement executive director Anthony Penney said a cut in the national immigration intake could be bad for the state, particularly if it wasn’t accompanied by measures to ensure more migrants settle in smaller states. “As great as Sydney and Melbourne are, there are lots of opportunities in South Australia,’’ Mr Penney said.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott has called for cuts to Australia’s immigration intake. Picture: David Swift

“And we need to remember that in that skilled of migrants, are not taking jobs away from locals – they’re contributing to the economy.’’

Newly re-elected Mayo Centre Alliance MP Rebekha Sharkie said Mr Abbott’s comments reflected an “east coast mentality”.

“We’ve definitely got an economy in South Australia that does need – particularly in the regions – more migrants,’’ Ms Sharkie said.

The Federal Government is considering taking pressure off infrastructure in Sydney and Melbourne by introducing new visas which require migrants to move to other parts of the country, particularly the regions, where more workers and entrepreneurs are needed.

Business SA has called for a special status to attract migrant workers to areas with staff shortages. Department of Home Affairs figures show from 2014/15 to 2016/17, skilled migrant numbers for SA dropped 23 per cent.