Multicultural Country
The population changed dramatically after the introduction of the White Australian Policy. The beginnings of ethnic diversity occurred after WWII, Australia has become one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world. The proportion of all Asian migrants has increased from 9% to 44% between 1981 and 2008.
Ecological Sustainability
There are many people who argue that Australia cannot support a larger population because of Australia’s poor conditions. Many problems have arisen over population growth such as waste disposal, air pollution, over-development on coastal areas, environment degradation, and salinity. Intense development on Australia’s coastal areas, both for holiday homes and “sea change” migrants, is eroding the quality and resilience of natural coastal systems.
Population Movement
By the late 1990s, the growing population trend shifted towards the inner suburbs. This trend reflects the popularity of the inner-city lifestyle and the impact of urban consolidation.
Though this is still the case today, some people are opting for a change in semi-rural communities while still retaining a link with the city. As a result of this trend many smaller communities have experienced population growth.
Urban Planning
Meeting the needs of the current and future population represents a major challenge with the impact of future population growth falling disproportionately on the urban centre. These challenges include accommodation, infrastructure required by an expanding population, managing traffic congestion, minimising pollution, meeting social needs and promoting employment opportunities.
To support this, the government is encouraging the construction of multi-unit housing departments with access to public transport (urban consolidation) and focus on higher residential densities.
Australian Government Policies on Population Growth Rates, Refugees and Migration
Population Growth
Australia, like most developed countries, have an array of family policies designed to achieve social welfare objectives. Each policy helps rove financial obstacles to having children, as well as encouraging population growth.
Baby Bonus
In 2004, Treasurer Peter Costello introduced the Baby Bonus, a payment to the parents on the birth of each child. It has risen from $3000 from its commencement to $5000 in 2008.
Its sole purpose was to raise the fertility rate, which has increased since its commencement with a 4% rise in 2008.
Child care Rebates
Expenditures like the Child Care Rebate are designed to encourage private spending. It is an extra payment from the government to help working families with the coast of child care; it can be worth 50% of child care costs
Paid Maternity Leave
Australia is part of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. The Paid maternity scheme comes under this agreement. The family unit has to struggle with time and financial constraints so there is very little incentive to have children. Paid leave helps support this.
Child-friendly Work Places
In Australian workplaces there is a growing recognition of the importance of family-care facilities. Many families not only need the additional financial resources but want more time to spend with the children.
Refugees
Mandatory Detention for Asylum Seekers
Mandatory Detention in Australia concerns the government’s policy to which all persons entering the country without a valid visa are detained and sometimes subject to deportation. The mandatory detention remains a very controversial aspect of the Australian Immigration Policy.
The government believes that it is an essential component of strong border control and maintains that their actions are justified in protecting Australia’s border and ensuring that immigration law is enforced. But many people argue that it contravenes Australia’s obligations to non-citizens, refugees and asylum seekers under international human rights and refugee law.
The Pacific Solution
The Pacific Solution (2001-2007) was the policy of transporting asylum seekers to detention camps on small islands in the Pacific Ocean, rather than landing on Australian mainland.
It was successful in reducing the amount of illegal entrants but received criticism from a number of non-governmental organisations claiming that Australia was failing to meets its international obligations. The policy ended when Kevin Rudd came into power.
Migrants
The original aim of the migration programs were for defence purposes but over the years it has shifted to social, humanitarian and economic objectives.
Skilled Program
Australia’s resource industry continued to boom despite serious obstacles other developed economies faced by the GFC. Existing and new projects created thousands of skilled jobs which would have interested professionals from countries where unemployment was reaching high levels.
The General Skilled Migration Program is for people who have skills or abilities that will contribute to the Australian economy. In 2009, 114 777 places were granted.
Family Program
The family program is for Australians who have close relatives such as parents, partners, spouses, children, siblings overseas they can sponsor them to come to Australia. In 2009, 56366 visas were granted.
Humanitarian Program
The Humanitarian Program fulfils Australia’s international obligations by offering protection to people already in Australia and it expresses our commitment to refugee protection by offering resettlement to people overseas. In 2009, 13 507 visas were granted.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
http://www.immi.gov.au/media/fact-sheets/#migrating
http://www.babybonus.com.au/
http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/payments/childcare_benefit.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_Solution
