The five-year Designated Area Migration Agreement is a good thing for the Territory

THE signing of a new five-year Designated Area Migration Agreement between the Territory and Federal Governments is good news for the economy on two fronts

The Territory needs more new arrivals. Picture: istock

THE signing of a new five-year Designated Area Migration Agreement between the Territory and Federal Governments is good news for the economy on two fronts.

On the supply side it will mean businesses struggling to find workers with the skills and experience they need will be able to operate at full capacity and continue to produce the goods and services we all rely on.

On the demand side of the equation the deal will encourage the population growth we so desperately need to stimulate spending.

Territory Workforce Training Minister Selena Uibo rightly says that the government’s first priority is creating jobs for locals.

No one could argue that full employment for those that already live here shouldn’t be front of mind for the government — but why not kill two birds with one stone?

As Ms Uibo notes, under the agreement businesses will have to demonstrate that there are no suitably skilled and experienced locals who can do the job before applying to sponsor an overseas worker.

The DAMA II agreement also provides a pathway to permanent residency for the highly-skilled workers who move here to find a job.

Many of those workers will bring their families, their children will go to local schools and they will become embedded in the community.

Darwin, like Australia more generally, was built on a proud history of multiculturalism and continuing that tradition could be the secret to our future success.