Australia needs long-term migration strategy, not short-term politics

SSI

A broad alliance of industry, small business, social service, multicultural, regional and migration organisations has called for a National Migration Summit following a week of competing migration announcements from across the political spectrum and yesterday’s National Press Club address by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke.

This week has seen a series of proposals focused on migration numbers, including calls to slash temporary migration and proposals to gut Australia's humanitarian intake. At the same time, some political voices have even suggested they’re ‘tired’ of listening to economists and migration experts.

The alliance agrees with Minister Burke that net overseas migration doesn’t tell the whole story, so instead of endlessly debating a number, why aren’t we addressing the fundamental question: what kind of migration system does Australia need to meet its long-term economic, social and demographic needs?

Australia's migration system is about more than net overseas migration. It is about workforce needs, productivity, regional development, population ageing, social cohesion, humanitarian commitments and the nation's future prosperity.

The alliance is calling on the Australian government to urgently convene a National Migration Summit bringing together governments, business, unions, community organisations, researchers, migration experts and multicultural leaders to develop a long-term, evidence-based roadmap for Australia's migration system.

The proposed summit would help move the debate beyond short-term political cycles and year-to-year migration targets, toward a shared national vision that balances economic opportunity, workforce needs, housing, infrastructure, settlement outcomes and community confidence. This issue is too important for Australia’s prosperity to not get right.  

Organisations supporting the call include the Australian Council of Social Service, Australian Hotels Association, Australian Restaurant & Cafe Association, Council of Small Business Organisations Australia, Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia, Migration Institute of Australia, Minerals Council of Australia, Refugee Council of Australia, Regional Australia Institute, Settlement Council of Australia, and Tech Council of Australia.

More information: National Migration Summit [ssi.org.au]

Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) Cass Goldie AO

“One of the best parts of living in Australia is our diverse, multicultural community. People who migrate here are our neighbours, friends, family, volunteers and community leaders, in cities and regional communities right across the nation. We must prioritise their safety, dignity, and wellbeing. We urge the government to take up the broad-based proposal for holding a National Migration Summit."

Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA) CEO Skye Cappuccio 

“We’ve seen multiple migration policy announcements this week, but none accompanied by an assessment of what it will mean for small businesses reliant on migrants to sustain and grow their business. A National Migration Summit is a key step towards ensuring migration settings are genuinely aligned with what Australia needs, including the skills small business needs to serve their communities and power our economy.”

Settlement Council of Australia (SCOA) Chair Melissa Monteiro

“For decades, settlement services have worked alongside governments and communities to help new arrivals build secure and productive lives. This is an investment in people and in Australia’s future. We also need to listen carefully to the concerns Australians are expressing about housing, infrastructure, cost of living and pressure on services. These are legitimate concerns that deserve serious policy attention. But they require coordinated solutions across housing, infrastructure, planning, employment and settlement, not a debate reduced to a single migration number. A National Migration Summit would provide an opportunity to have this mature conversation and to develop a shared, evidence-based roadmap for Australia. As a national peak body representing the settlement sector, SCOA stands ready to contribute constructively to that conversation.”

SCOA CEO Maria Dimopoulos AM

“Settlement teaches us that migration decisions reach far beyond the border. The numbers matter, but they must be shaped by evidence, research and lived expertise, not knee-jerk reactions to guesswork or commentary designed to divide. A National Migration Summit can bring us together around a shared vision of a fair and inclusive Australia where everyone belongs.”

Settlement Services International (SSI) CEO Violet Roumeliotis AM

"Australia’s prosperity has been built on our ability to attract talent, welcome newcomers and build strong multicultural communities. The question shouldn’t be how quickly we can bring a number down, but how we create a migration system that supports the country we want to be in the future. That requires long-term planning, not short-term fixes."

Hannah Gartrell | Head of Corporate Affairs, SSI
0423 965 956 | [email protected]