Editorial: Migration needs closer attention

Without warning – and so far without adequate explanation – the federal Labor government opened the floodgates to the world post-Covid-19, writes the editor.

Premier Steven Miles deserves to be applauded for his brave decision to risk being accused of xenophobia in doing the right thing and calling out the impact of the runaway train of our recent immigration intake.

Without warning – and so far without adequate explanation – the federal Labor government opened the floodgates to the world post-Covid-19.

Australia’s population grew by a record 659,800 people in the year to last September, with 83 per cent of that growth coming from overseas migration. Migrant arrivals were up 73 per cent last year, while the number of international students coming to Australia doubled.

In Queensland, interstate and overseas migration accounted for an increase in our state’s population of 120,600. Four years ago, that same number was 32,600 – and so an almost fourfold increase.

We should, of course, welcome these new arrivals – as individuals. We are a nation of immigrants, and our beautiful state has always been a favourite for southerners seeking warmer climes and a more friendly and affordable lifestyle. We are a better place because these new arrivals are now our neighbours.

But Queensland simply cannot sustain this growth. In the year to last September (chosen because it is the most recent data point), there were a net 29,700 new dwellings added to Queensland’s housing market. With the rule of thumb being that a single dwelling houses on average 2.5 people, we built enough new homes in that year to house 74,250 people.

And so that leaves 46,350 new arrivals looking for a place to live that does not exist – because we are 18,500 homes short.

The numbers tell the story. We certainly should not be shocked to be in the middle of a housing crisis.

The Premier is right when he says this unchecked migration that was green-lighted by his federal Labor colleagues is a big reason why the price of rent and of homes across our state has increased so rapidly.

And so the Premier is also right to urge his federal colleagues to now moderate migration levels properly, so that people can continue to migrate to Queensland, but at levels that are more manageable.

The result otherwise will be a continuation of the housing crisis that has rattled our community – with the dream of home ownership now something a rapidly decreasing number of young people will ever achieve, and the rental squeeze having become so dire that many of our parks have become tent cities.

The Albanese government has at least accepted there is a problem.

It has reviewed migration and has since committed to a new migration strategy that Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil has promised would lead to “substantial declines in migration levels”.

But the fact Mr Miles has seen fit to put his head above the parapet on this challenging issue shows that things have not yet settled down.

Now, the Premier is making what will not be an unpopular political point here. And he will also no doubt use this intervention to angle for some additional federal funding towards the additional social infrastructure required to service all these new Queenslanders.

But what he says is backed by the evidence. And he is now on a unity ticket with Brisbane’s Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, who said recently that communities needed a break from unchecked migration to “catch their breath and catch up to the demand”. They are both right.

This is an issue that requires even more urgent attention.

CURSED PROJECT’S NEW HURDLE

No shovel has yet broken the surface, but it appears that Premier Steven Miles’ flagship Pioneer-Burdekin pumped hydro project may be cursed.

The Premier is determined to go ahead with the ambitious plan, which involves building a “high dam” and a “low dam” connected by pipes, creating a kind of hydro battery where water can be run through turbines when the power grid needs a boost.

It sounds great in theory, but the project has taken regular body blows.

First of all is the lack of a business plan for the project, which makes the whole thing a leap into the unknown where we are expected to trust the government’s judgment.

There’s also the now customary lack of consultation with key stakeholders, in this case local residents, who are now generally opposed to the plan.

Then there’s the cost, which could reach $18bn, as well as the threat to the local platypus population, and the possibility the whole thing could be called off if a certain frog is discovered on site.

But now auditor-general Brendan Worrall has declared that the project may not serve its intended purpose – to help wean the state off coal.

“If renewable projects are not delivered on time or budget, then there’s a risk the life of coal may be extended,” Mr Worrall told a parliamentary inquiry yesterday.

All these hurdles are probably the reason why major projects don’t get started without a business plan.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details here

Originally published as Editorial: Migration needs closer attention