Migrants given incentives to stay regional
THE Northern Territory will benefit under Scott Morrison’s new population plan which will offer incentives to migrants to live in regional areas with 18 extra occupations have been listed to open the program to more migrants including in agriculture
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THE Northern Territory will benefit under Scott Morrison’s new population plan which will offer incentives to migrants to live in regional areas.
Under the Morrison Government’s plan, migrants would have to live in regional Australia for three years before being granted permanent residence. The plan would keep 20,000 people out of capital cities each year.
Mr Morrison will today reveal a sweeping overhaul to Australia’s population strategy, which also includes reducing the overall migrant intake by 120,000 people over four years.
And in a bid to divert pressure from city universities and help build dying regional communities, scholarships will be given to Australians and international students to study at regional universities.
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The blueprint, driven by skilled demand and businesses needing workers, will be buttressed by a pledge today by Mr Morrison to build the infrastructure needed for the changes and current demands.
The two new regional visas — one for students and one for skilled workers — increases migrant numbers for the regions to 23,000 — an almost three-fold rise on 2017-2018 numbers.
It is good news for regional towns in Queensland, the Northern Territory and Adelaide, especially for farmers struggling to get workers.
To boost the number of skilled people in the regions, 18 extra occupations have been listed to open the program to more migrants. As well as dentists and anaesthetists, a number of agricultural jobs are listed.
The latest Census showed that 83 per cent of the overseas-born population were living in capital cities. The Government believes people will be lured to the regions if it makes it easier to get permanent residency.
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The migration cut of 15 per cent means there will be a ceiling of 160,000 extra people allowed into Australia each year There is no guarantee this number will be met. It is a cumulative reduction of 120,000 people over four years.
And in a move to address accusations of dog-whistling head-on, Mr Morrison will today own the decision to manage population growth.
“Migrants are an invaluable part of Australia’s economic and social fabric. Our economic strength is supported by a successful migration program that brings skilled people of working age,” he said.
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“We won’t be distracted from the task at hand to make Australia’s cities and towns even better places to live.
“People who want to play politics or run scare campaigns from these announcements are taking Australians for mugs.”
He said better targeting the migrant intake would address skills shortages and benefit the economy. “It will take the pressure off in those cities that are straining, while supporting the cities and towns that are keen to have stronger growth.”
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