Australian PM does not reveal immigration policy.
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has dodged out of tough questioning on her immigration policies by a Sydney radio station.
Sydney radio 2UE wanted confirmation on her comments in Western Sydney on Tuesday about plans that she may cut back on immigration and review immigration policies that have been in place since after World War II when the main policy was to populate Australia.
When asked if her comments amounted to an admission that the immigration intake will be cut if she wins the general election in August, Ms Gillard refused to provide an answer, saying: “I think that’s a question not just about numbers but where they are going.”
She instead stated that it wasn’t merely about reaching a population cap or declaring certain parts of the country full, but in sending skilled migrants to where they were needed the most. “Let’s just get it all right,” she told the radio station. “Let’s have skilled migrants go where we need them.”
She further commented that there were parts of Sydney, such as the west, that did not need to see the ‘big Australia’ Rudd policy because they were already full to overflowing, but that there were other parts of Australia with labour shortages that were “crying out” for more skilled migrants to emigrate there.
But if prospective migrants to Australia expected her to reveal how this would be achieved they were disappointed, for Ms Gillard would not be drawn further on any future immigration policies.
The immigration debate is becoming a hot political topic in the campaign by both political parties, with major businesses in Australia accusing the government of making people “hysterical” over immigration and refugee charities accusing them of failing in their international duty to protect asylum seekers – both parties have pledged to cut the number of illegal immigrants entering Australia by boat.
Many prospective migrants to Australia will no doubt be following the election campaign very closely to see if the already tough immigration policy is about to get even tougher.
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