A quote from the newspaper ‘The Australian’ states that two main government advisers have come out with a debate that the issue of “Big Australia” has landed into a dangerous territory.

Peter McDonald, who is the head of the Australian Demographic and Social Research Institute, stated that the present political issue which links increased immigration rates with that of high house prices as well as bottlenecking in the big cities would lead to a risky Hansonism. He said that as we all witnessed what happened in the Hansin era. No one wants to bring out the worst from the Aussie people again.

The current Australian PM Julia Gillard has already shown her disbelieve in the debate of “Big Australia,” but contrary to her thinking, experts are believing that more number of immigrants is what the country needs at this moment. Also, the skilled professionals are urgently needed to meet the labor market demands of the nation.

Another industry expert, Infrastructure Australia head Rod Eddington said that he is in favor of a “robust immigration program”. He also spoke in regard that the country always needs good people who can be sensibly accumulated in the nation.

Business leaders feel that immigrants are crucial in the economic growth of the country. They believe that migration is one of the reasons as to why Australia has gained success in the past. Therefore, immigration should not be given a blind eye at all.

Hence, it clearly states the opposition faced by the current Prime Minister in terms of “Big Australia” policy!

After the nation’s Finance Minister, this time a demographer opposed the new Australian Prime Minister’s idea to limit the immigration level over the years to come. The Australian National University professor McDonald believes Australia should attract more skilled migrants in order to help its economy grow. According to him, immigration is one of the most important factors of labor market and it plays a vital role in the expansion of a nation’s economy.

The demographer expressed his views regarding the importance of immigration in Australian economy in a seminar hosted by the Committee for Economic Development of Australia earlier this week. The director of the Australian Demographic and Social Research Institute at the Australian National University also pointed out that the growth of mining and other industries definitely implies that Australia requires skills in order to meet the labor shortages. He further cleared it that Australia cannot expand the economy without letting people from outside to enter the nation.

At the time when the new Australian PM Julia Gillard is talking about her disbelieve in ‘Big Australia’ policy, the demographic expert said that the nation’s intake of 44,000 permanent migrants in the 2008-2009 year was not sufficient to meet the labor requirements. Out of the total intake, Australia received only 30,000 new skilled workers, which did not satisfy the current labor demand. Because of this, many employers in Oz had to rely upon temporary workers to address the labor shortages.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd expressed “sorry” in front of the whole nation. Almost 70 years back, up to 10,000 British children were shipped to Canada and Australia to enhance the “white stock” in Australia.

According to the British parliamentary report, the step was intended to “maintain the racial unity of the empire.” Some of them were taken from their premises without informing their parents and were promised a better future ahead.

The worst thing is that they were forced to work in some bad conditions after reaching their new home. Above all, some children were told that their parents are dead. The Child Migrant Programme was intended to offer a better future to disadvantaged children, but a majority of them were forced under labor.

Mr. Rudd apologized for this “ugly” deed by the country in the 1940s. He said that the country is extremely sorry for the emotional and physical sufferings that were embedded on those poor and innocent children that time. Tears came out flowing from his eyes, while he was uttering those words of apology.

In a quick response to the recent closures of four Australian institutions, the Aussie government has come out with new measures for overseas students, commencing from Jan 1, 2010.

Earlier, it was mandatory for the international students requiring a new visa to pay the A$540 student visa application charge if they want to enroll themselves in another educational institute and continue with their studies. According to the new visa measures, these students will be exempt from paying the same, confirmed Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Senator Chris Evans. He further explained that the introduction of these beneficial measures would assure that international students are not burned with any additional financial stress.

The Australian government has also increased the minimum financial requirements for the international students. From Jan 1, 2010, it would become essential for the international students to show a proof of their financial funds of a minimum of A$18,000 (earlier it was A$12,000).

In another damage control measure, Australian PM will arrive in India on 11 November for a short visit. He will be watching the India-Australia ODI on Wednesday and hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday. The topic of discussion would be dominated by racial attacks on Indians.

Lots of India-Australian activities on one day!