Under the new scheme, Australia`s states and territories will have to submit annual. (SBS images of skilled immigration needs to the federal government.)
Under a new plan, Australia`s states and territories will have to submit to the federal government every year their needs for skilled immigrants and demonstrate that they have adequate infrastructure. The move could fundamentally change the current system of permanent immigration by the federal government.
Australian society is increasingly concerned about urban congestion and declining quality of life, the Australian newspaper reported. Against this background, states continue to demand a greater voice in national population policy. It is understood that the (Scott Morrison) Mok Suisse senior government has begun discussions on the reform.
In response to calls for a cut in annual immigration intake, the federal government, under the direction of Interior Minister Dudon (Peter Dutton), has cut the number of permanent immigrants a year from a high of 190000 a year to 162000 last year. That is back to where it was before Labour came to power more than a decade ago.
Under the proposed new framework, the responsibility to determine the number of permanent immigrants will be transferred from the federal government to the states and territories, and the national population will be consolidated by the needs of the states and territories. Once agreed, this would fundamentally change Australia`s immigration policy, reflecting a more demand-driven model in the number of permanent arrivals each year.
In addition, states and territories will have to demonstrate that work has been done on infrastructure projects, such as housing construction approvals, and school and hospital-related projects to deal with new immigrants.
It is understood that the formulation of the new plan is still at an early stage. In addition, the cabinet may decide tonight to set up a population task force to advise on other policies as part of a broader population programme.
According to the Australian newspaper in August, Tucky (Alan Tudge), then minister of multiculturalism and citizenship, was close to finalizing a reform of the immigration system that would impose geographical conditions on skilled migrants. They are required to settle in areas or cities outside Melbourne and Sydney for at least five years.
The new plan would further address a fundamental contradiction in population policy-immigration, the main population lever, is controlled by the federal government, but schools, hospitals and roads are handled by the states.
It is understood that although the specific system has not been finalized, but important work has been completed, Prime Minister Mosuisse is also actively involved. Indeed, before the August leadership by-election, Credit Mosuisse, then finance minister, was involved in the policy process.
Two weeks ago, Mr Mosuisse hinted at the possibility of reformulating immigration policies and bringing states into the process. He said at the time that a "bottom-up" approach to population policy would be developed.
"what I`m doing with the states and territories is saying, `tell me how many people your state and surrounding areas can hold,`" Morrison said in an interview with 2GB Radio. The number of immigrants will then be based on how many people can be supported by the infrastructure and services provided by the states, rather than the top-down approach. "
Tucci also recently hinted that there will be a policy adjustment in terms of the number of immigrants received. He said cities and capitals outside Sydney and Melbourne said they needed more skilled immigrants.
