Burkes Visa Plan Threatens Australias Ecological Limits

Sustainable Population Australia (SPA) expresses grave concern over comments by Immigration Minister Tony Burke in an Indian Link Media podcast, advocated for a pathway to full permanent residency and citizenship pathway for people who "are still here" and "working here".

SPA maintains:

• Immigration creates more demand for goods and services than the labour it brings can meet.
• It should not be a surprise that first generation immigrants have occupations in proportion to their representation throughout the community, when they account for 38 per cent of Australia's working age residents and 32 per cent of its entire population.
• People born overseas are not proportionately building houses for migrants, who are dramatically underrepresented in Australia's construction industry.
• Australia has never had as many homes. The present housing crisis results from a population crisis which has been building since 2005.
• Immigration is clearly a problem, masquerading as a solution to housing and skill shortages.

SPA calls on the Government to:

1. Reduce temporary visa offerings with the aim of a stable and long-term sustainable population, rather than defaulting to permanent residency for long-term temporary holders.
2. Set a low NOM target consistent with ecological limits — SPA recommends around 70,000 per year long-term.
3. Prioritise genuine skill needs with employer sponsorship while avoiding permanent population inflation.
4. Respect public opinion, which consistently shows most Australians favour lower overall immigration levels until infrastructure and housing catch up.

SPA experts are available for