FAQ

it is complicated. At current prices we have some labour shortages. However, using  migration is only one of several ways we could respond. Another way of filling shortages  would be increasing the size of the workforce by paying higher wages while another would  be increasing the workforce’s productivity with more training and/or more and better  equipment. 

If firms funded a better paid, trained and equipped workforce by reducing their own profits  that would have profound social benefits because in resolving labour shortages we would 

also reduce inequality. We would also do so without adding to demand for extra  infrastructure by increasing the population. This would also apply if firms responded by  increasing prices for domestic customers, rather than reducing profits. However, if they  responded by increasing prices for foreign customers, they could become less competitive.  

Business owners prefer using migration because it is better for them while the community  prefer more wages, training and equipment because it is better for them. The exact  combination of migration, wages, training and investment we need is a political question as  much as an economic question. Low Migration Australia considers the best way to choose  this combination is to limit skilled migration to highly paid workers because these are the  workers that almost by definition, will be of most value to firms. Industries with lower pay  will then have to focus on better pay, training and equipment where their workforces are in  greater need.  

Low migration Australia does not lobby for an end to the skilled migration program. We  campaign for a smaller intake and for an end to unskilled migration such as the work rights  attaching to student visas.