We can't return to Fortress Australia

News - Migration Geschrieben von: Administrator Montag, den 23. August 2010 um 09:06 Uhr

The warning was made by former Victorian premier Steve Bracks

In an impassioned speech in Melbourne last night, Mr Bracks urged Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott to "set the national tone" and recommit to multiculturalism.

"We need migrants," he said. "We need them in our workforce to drive our economy into the 21st century. We need them to help us make the transition to a sustainable economy. It's not a question of yes or no on migration."

While Labor has attempted to separate the population issue from immigration policy, despite overseas migration accounting for about two-thirds of population growth, the Coalition has not been as shy. It proposes to cap immigration at 170,000 a year as part of its effort to ensure Australia does not reach Treasury's projected population of 36 million by 2050. Bracks said he recognised the public concern and explained:

"Diversity -- when it's dwelled upon as a point of difference -- can be scary. But that's no excuse for backing away from what is in our best interests as a people," he said.

"If we become insular in our thinking, we will miss out on new opportunities for the kind of investment and next-generation technologies we need to make the leap from a carbon-intensive economy to a climate change economy.” "And if we miss out on those opportunities overseas, the future prosperity and sustainability of our nation will be at risk."

Mr Bracks said the current political leaders should heed the lessons of the recent past.

"Every Australian government since 1973 has stayed true to the principle behind multiculturalism -- that diversity is a strength, not a weakness, that we have far more to gain than fear," he said.

"The success or failure of multiculturalism is not just up to Julia Gillard or Tony Abbott. Leaders can set the national tone. Leaders can set an example.”