The federal cabinet will sign a new population policy as early as Monday night, which will include visa conditions for certain numbers of new skilled migrants to settle in cities other than Sydney and Melbourne.
The Australian newspaper learned that the policy includes incentives in township centres to apply to "ordinary" skilled migrants who obtain permanent residency under the points system.
The major policy, which is based on the government`s decision last year to reduce the annual permanent migration of one hundred and ninety thousand to one hundred and sixty one thousand nine hundred and ninety nine under the former Labour government, will enter the cabinet as early as Monday night in the next two weeks, at the earliest.
Davis (Phil Davies), former head of government`s Australian infrastructure division, warns that Australia faces an imminent productivity crisis and increased road congestion, slowing freight rates in major state capitals.
Davis, who resigned from IA last month and was appointed chairman of the Australian Logistics Council on Monday, said he expects freight traffic to double over the next two decades. "our road congestion has had a significant impact on the ability of freight logistics operators to meet customers` expectations for rapid delivery." Davis wrote Monday in the Australian newspaper.
"even now, government has invested heavily in the new Bridgewater Bridge, South Australia GlobeLink program in North Coast Rail Line, Tower, West Gate Tunnel, Melbourne, the NorthLink project in Western Australia, and the new Freight Hub in Darwin, including West Sydney Airport, Melbourne. But our freight infrastructure may not be able to meet this demand. "
Nearly 90% of Australia`s new permanent residents have settled in Melbourne and Sydney. Citizen status minister Duggie (Alan Tudge) said one hundred and eleven thousand nine hundred and ninety nine skilled immigrants had arrived in Australia last fiscal year, 87 percent of whom had settled in Sydney or Melbourne.
Davis has always been outspoken in criticizing government`s infrastructure policies. He says the government at all levels has failed to properly plan population growth. He said political "controversial" decisions were needed to build infrastructure to respond to freight demand.
Last week, Australia had a population of 25 million-nearly 20 years earlier than the first intergenerational report published in 2002. In fact, our annual population growth is comparable to Canberra, and there is no sign of abating. " Davis wrote.
"what most Australians take for granted in their daily lives-food and drinks, fuel, household appliances, clothing, medicines, and the delivery of online goods-comes to the door. Just a few examples-usually not grown or produced in the cities where most of us live. "
"these products must be shipped from the place of origin to the retailer where we shop, or directly from the port, freight station or warehouse to our door."
"it`s a huge challenge to our shipping network at an age when consumers can buy major appliances with a few clicks on their smartphones and want to deliver them the next day," he said.
