Australian MP wants to slash immigration from New Zealand. What the?!

[DragonsAteMyMarbles]

snip

Most of Australia is a desert, the so the amount of habitable space they have is actually very limited.

snip again

Yeah thats true, but we our country is almost entirely desert which is unuseable to the population for pretty much anything, it would put a HUGE strain on our resources.

EDIT: Ninja'ed

Sorry, guys. I really should have taken other factors into consideration - especially since I spend a substantial amount of time demanding that others do exactly that.
Feeling pretty stupid now.

 

[Nunny]

stuff

Every Australia who isn't Aboriginal is an immigrant or descended from immigrants. English people misbehaved shockingly when they came to Australia, they sure as hell didn't "integrate" into the cultural climate at the time at all, in any way whatsoever. By contrast the overwhelmingly large majority of current migrants integrate into the current Australian cultural climate beautifully. There's always a very slim minority that the media focuses on to drum up racial hatred (because firing people up brings ratings) but I've never met an immigrant in person that didn't like Australian culture and wasn't EXTREMELY grateful to be here.

As for the OP, yeah it's an issue because most of Australia is desert and incapable of supporting anything. But looking at the numbers, the OVERALL numbers are going down and that's a good thing. As for the disparity between skilled migrants and refugees, that's probably due to age demographics, because ageing population is an issue for Australia too. A lot of NZ migrants are older, whereas refugees are usually younger. And just because someone isn't skilled doesn't mean that they can't GET skilled, that's why we have technical colleges and universities. Besides, there's still far more NZ migrants than refugees coming in per year even if these changes go through. 70,000 is still a hell of a lot of Kiwis.

Well technicaly Aboriginee's are also decendent from Immigrants, though there is about 80,000 year difference.

Well yes, this is probably true. But that 80,000 years difference is quite a difference. It's hardly the point I was trying to make though.

Well one could also argue that they didnt intergrate either, introducing animals (dingo) causing others to die out and changing the environment (lighting fires ect).

Anyways

Ive seen a fair few modern immigrants that havent intergrated at all, prefering to form there own "country within a country".

 

[Lord Krunk]

If they really want to do this, get rid of the Sri Lankan refugees first.

They've already shown that they're a bunch of dicks. And I know several awesome folks that crossed the Tasman.

 

[BonsaiK]

stuff

Every Australia who isn't Aboriginal is an immigrant or descended from immigrants. English people misbehaved shockingly when they came to Australia, they sure as hell didn't "integrate" into the cultural climate at the time at all, in any way whatsoever. By contrast the overwhelmingly large majority of current migrants integrate into the current Australian cultural climate beautifully. There's always a very slim minority that the media focuses on to drum up racial hatred (because firing people up brings ratings) but I've never met an immigrant in person that didn't like Australian culture and wasn't EXTREMELY grateful to be here.

As for the OP, yeah it's an issue because most of Australia is desert and incapable of supporting anything. But looking at the numbers, the OVERALL numbers are going down and that's a good thing. As for the disparity between skilled migrants and refugees, that's probably due to age demographics, because ageing population is an issue for Australia too. A lot of NZ migrants are older, whereas refugees are usually younger. And just because someone isn't skilled doesn't mean that they can't GET skilled, that's why we have technical colleges and universities. Besides, there's still far more NZ migrants than refugees coming in per year even if these changes go through. 70,000 is still a hell of a lot of Kiwis.

Well technicaly Aboriginee's are also decendent from Immigrants, though there is about 80,000 year difference.

Well yes, this is probably true. But that 80,000 years difference is quite a difference. It's hardly the point I was trying to make though.

Well one could also argue that they didnt intergrate either, introducing animals (dingo) causing others to die out and changing the environment (lighting fires ect).

Anyways

Ive seen a fair few modern immigrants that havent intergrated at all, prefering to form there own "country within a country".

If you went to live in some other country, and you met some other people who were also from your old country, you'd probably hang out with them a lot, try and live in the same area etc, because it would make acclimatising to this strange new land a bit easier if you have people from your culture that you can relate to. This happens with all immigration everywhere, all the time, without exception, because it's just human nature to seek out people whom you have something in common with. It doesn't mean that they're forming a country within a country. There are parts of my city that have more of one race than another in them but so what, it's still Australia and they're all still Australians. My father was a (white) immigrant and also settled in a place where there was a high proporation of people from his country. This is just how immigration works. Only a racist would care less.

 

[Nunny]

stuff

Every Australia who isn't Aboriginal is an immigrant or descended from immigrants. English people misbehaved shockingly when they came to Australia, they sure as hell didn't "integrate" into the cultural climate at the time at all, in any way whatsoever. By contrast the overwhelmingly large majority of current migrants integrate into the current Australian cultural climate beautifully. There's always a very slim minority that the media focuses on to drum up racial hatred (because firing people up brings ratings) but I've never met an immigrant in person that didn't like Australian culture and wasn't EXTREMELY grateful to be here.

As for the OP, yeah it's an issue because most of Australia is desert and incapable of supporting anything. But looking at the numbers, the OVERALL numbers are going down and that's a good thing. As for the disparity between skilled migrants and refugees, that's probably due to age demographics, because ageing population is an issue for Australia too. A lot of NZ migrants are older, whereas refugees are usually younger. And just because someone isn't skilled doesn't mean that they can't GET skilled, that's why we have technical colleges and universities. Besides, there's still far more NZ migrants than refugees coming in per year even if these changes go through. 70,000 is still a hell of a lot of Kiwis.

Well technicaly Aboriginee's are also decendent from Immigrants, though there is about 80,000 year difference.

Well yes, this is probably true. But that 80,000 years difference is quite a difference. It's hardly the point I was trying to make though.

Well one could also argue that they didnt intergrate either, introducing animals (dingo) causing others to die out and changing the environment (lighting fires ect).

Anyways

Ive seen a fair few modern immigrants that havent intergrated at all, prefering to form there own "country within a country".

If you went to live in some other country, and you met some other people who were also from your old country, you'd probably hang out with them a lot, try and live in the same area etc, because it would make acclimatising to this strange new land a bit easier if you have people from your culture that you can relate to. This happens with all immigration everywhere, all the time, without exception, because it's just human nature to seek out people whom you have something in common with. It doesn't mean that they're forming a country within a country. There are parts of my city that have more of one race than another in them but so what, it's still Australia and they're all still Australians. My father was a (white) immigrant and also settled in a place where there was a high proporation of people from his country. This is just how immigration works. Only a racist would care less.

Theres a difference between grouping with people with the same backgrounds ect and the setup's that have sprung up around the place.

Sorry about the large quotes, im have asleep atm.

 

[BonsaiK]

Every Australia who isn't Aboriginal is an immigrant or descended from immigrants. English people misbehaved shockingly when they came to Australia, they sure as hell didn't "integrate" into the cultural climate at the time at all, in any way whatsoever.

I'm sorry, I must be reading different history books, when the hell was the colonisation of Australia a 'cultural intergration'. If my memory serves me correctly, it was only just shy of military conquest, considering there wasn't an opposing nation at arms. Yes there were skirmishes with some tribes, but not on the scale of India, Africa, or the Americas. Also, intergration wasn't on the agenda back then - expanding the borders of the glorious British Empire through exploitation was if I remember.

Exactly.

By contrast the overwhelmingly large majority of current migrants integrate into the current Australian cultural climate beautifully. There's always a very slim minority that the media focuses on to drum up racial hatred

Bullshit. Take a walk through Faifield, Cabramatta, Redfern, or any number of the ethnic minority areas in Sydney and I'm sure you'll sing a different tune, I assure you.

I went to Cabramatta for a holiday last month. I met lots of nice people, ate at nice restaurants, went out at night and had a good time, didn't see any violence... not sure what you're talking about. Seemed like a nice place to live. A bit crowded maybe, certainly too many cars... fine apart from that.

... but I've never met an immigrant in person that didn't like Australian culture and wasn't EXTREMELY grateful to be here.

I have too, and they are few and far between. You may have been lucky to have only those who want to make a go of it, and I envy that naivete but I have met many more (some born here) who are quite happy to carry on the violence or hateful indoctrination that is being perpetrated in their homeland states. Places like:
- Former Yugoslavia
- various Africa nations/tribes
- Middle Eastern countries etc

And I haven't even bothered mentioning religion which is just as bad as cultural or ethnic hatred.

Well yes there's always assholes too I guess, but all the immigrants I've ever met can't stop crapping on about how great Australia is - it actually gets annoying because they won't stop talking about it. I even know a guy who was in one of the detention centres and had his kids in the centres as well. He loves Australia and has Australian flags up in the pizza bar that he runs up the road from where I live. He told me that the mandatory detention in the centres for a few weeks was "a small price to pay to live in this beautiful country".

 

[Superior Mind]

Australia's got it bloody good when it comes to it's Kiwi immigrants. Where do you think New Zealand graduates who are pissed off that they get raped by the governmet for daring to be middle income earners go after crippling student loan repayments set in? Australia pretty much absorbs everyone with skill or intelligence because basically those things aren't seen as important by the NZ government. Those are some high quality migrants you are getting.

Thompson may be right though - maybe Australian infrastructure can't keep up with it's population. What he's done though is a classic case of finding an easy scapegoat and immigrants are a traditional favourite. Why ensure a better infrastructure for Australia when it's so much easier to blame someone else? Now if New Zealand immigrants really are a problem then sure, put a bar on our numbers. It sucks for a lot of reasons but if it's really truly needed you can't blame Australians for protecting Australian interests. But c'mon. New Zealand only has four million people, even if we all moved to Australia it wouldn't destroy the country.

Australians should take this opportunity to say "if you think our infrastructure is shit then make it better" because the Australian population is going to increase regardless of the New Zealand Inqisition. Australia has got the potential to support a larger population and it's got the thinkers and the problem solvers to ensure that Australia is successful in doing this - Hell, many of them are New Zealanders.

 

[BonsaiK]

stuff

Every Australia who isn't Aboriginal is an immigrant or descended from immigrants. English people misbehaved shockingly when they came to Australia, they sure as hell didn't "integrate" into the cultural climate at the time at all, in any way whatsoever. By contrast the overwhelmingly large majority of current migrants integrate into the current Australian cultural climate beautifully. There's always a very slim minority that the media focuses on to drum up racial hatred (because firing people up brings ratings) but I've never met an immigrant in person that didn't like Australian culture and wasn't EXTREMELY grateful to be here.

As for the OP, yeah it's an issue because most of Australia is desert and incapable of supporting anything. But looking at the numbers, the OVERALL numbers are going down and that's a good thing. As for the disparity between skilled migrants and refugees, that's probably due to age demographics, because ageing population is an issue for Australia too. A lot of NZ migrants are older, whereas refugees are usually younger. And just because someone isn't skilled doesn't mean that they can't GET skilled, that's why we have technical colleges and universities. Besides, there's still far more NZ migrants than refugees coming in per year even if these changes go through. 70,000 is still a hell of a lot of Kiwis.

Well technicaly Aboriginee's are also decendent from Immigrants, though there is about 80,000 year difference.

Well yes, this is probably true. But that 80,000 years difference is quite a difference. It's hardly the point I was trying to make though.

Well one could also argue that they didnt intergrate either, introducing animals (dingo) causing others to die out and changing the environment (lighting fires ect).

Anyways

Ive seen a fair few modern immigrants that havent intergrated at all, prefering to form there own "country within a country".

If you went to live in some other country, and you met some other people who were also from your old country, you'd probably hang out with them a lot, try and live in the same area etc, because it would make acclimatising to this strange new land a bit easier if you have people from your culture that you can relate to. This happens with all immigration everywhere, all the time, without exception, because it's just human nature to seek out people whom you have something in common with. It doesn't mean that they're forming a country within a country. There are parts of my city that have more of one race than another in them but so what, it's still Australia and they're all still Australians. My father was a (white) immigrant and also settled in a place where there was a high proporation of people from his country. This is just how immigration works. Only a racist would care less.

Theres a difference between grouping with people with the same backgrounds ect and the setup's that have sprung up around the place.

Sorry about the large quotes, im have asleep atm.

What "setups"? What exactly are you referring to?

 

[Nunny]

stuff

Every Australia who isn't Aboriginal is an immigrant or descended from immigrants. English people misbehaved shockingly when they came to Australia, they sure as hell didn't "integrate" into the cultural climate at the time at all, in any way whatsoever. By contrast the overwhelmingly large majority of current migrants integrate into the current Australian cultural climate beautifully. There's always a very slim minority that the media focuses on to drum up racial hatred (because firing people up brings ratings) but I've never met an immigrant in person that didn't like Australian culture and wasn't EXTREMELY grateful to be here.

As for the OP, yeah it's an issue because most of Australia is desert and incapable of supporting anything. But looking at the numbers, the OVERALL numbers are going down and that's a good thing. As for the disparity between skilled migrants and refugees, that's probably due to age demographics, because ageing population is an issue for Australia too. A lot of NZ migrants are older, whereas refugees are usually younger. And just because someone isn't skilled doesn't mean that they can't GET skilled, that's why we have technical colleges and universities. Besides, there's still far more NZ migrants than refugees coming in per year even if these changes go through. 70,000 is still a hell of a lot of Kiwis.

Well technicaly Aboriginee's are also decendent from Immigrants, though there is about 80,000 year difference.

Well yes, this is probably true. But that 80,000 years difference is quite a difference. It's hardly the point I was trying to make though.

Well one could also argue that they didnt intergrate either, introducing animals (dingo) causing others to die out and changing the environment (lighting fires ect).

Anyways

Ive seen a fair few modern immigrants that havent intergrated at all, prefering to form there own "country within a country".

If you went to live in some other country, and you met some other people who were also from your old country, you'd probably hang out with them a lot, try and live in the same area etc, because it would make acclimatising to this strange new land a bit easier if you have people from your culture that you can relate to. This happens with all immigration everywhere, all the time, without exception, because it's just human nature to seek out people whom you have something in common with. It doesn't mean that they're forming a country within a country. There are parts of my city that have more of one race than another in them but so what, it's still Australia and they're all still Australians. My father was a (white) immigrant and also settled in a place where there was a high proporation of people from his country. This is just how immigration works. Only a racist would care less.

Theres a difference between grouping with people with the same backgrounds ect and the setup's that have sprung up around the place.

Sorry about the large quotes, im have asleep atm.

What "setups"? What exactly are you referring to?

I seem to have hit a brick wall in how to describe what im talking about, simply put there are communties out there that defy australian laws and culture.

 

[BonsaiK]

stuff

Every Australia who isn't Aboriginal is an immigrant or descended from immigrants. English people misbehaved shockingly when they came to Australia, they sure as hell didn't "integrate" into the cultural climate at the time at all, in any way whatsoever. By contrast the overwhelmingly large majority of current migrants integrate into the current Australian cultural climate beautifully. There's always a very slim minority that the media focuses on to drum up racial hatred (because firing people up brings ratings) but I've never met an immigrant in person that didn't like Australian culture and wasn't EXTREMELY grateful to be here.

As for the OP, yeah it's an issue because most of Australia is desert and incapable of supporting anything. But looking at the numbers, the OVERALL numbers are going down and that's a good thing. As for the disparity between skilled migrants and refugees, that's probably due to age demographics, because ageing population is an issue for Australia too. A lot of NZ migrants are older, whereas refugees are usually younger. And just because someone isn't skilled doesn't mean that they can't GET skilled, that's why we have technical colleges and universities. Besides, there's still far more NZ migrants than refugees coming in per year even if these changes go through. 70,000 is still a hell of a lot of Kiwis.

Well technicaly Aboriginee's are also decendent from Immigrants, though there is about 80,000 year difference.

Well yes, this is probably true. But that 80,000 years difference is quite a difference. It's hardly the point I was trying to make though.

Well one could also argue that they didnt intergrate either, introducing animals (dingo) causing others to die out and changing the environment (lighting fires ect).

Anyways

Ive seen a fair few modern immigrants that havent intergrated at all, prefering to form there own "country within a country".

If you went to live in some other country, and you met some other people who were also from your old country, you'd probably hang out with them a lot, try and live in the same area etc, because it would make acclimatising to this strange new land a bit easier if you have people from your culture that you can relate to. This happens with all immigration everywhere, all the time, without exception, because it's just human nature to seek out people whom you have something in common with. It doesn't mean that they're forming a country within a country. There are parts of my city that have more of one race than another in them but so what, it's still Australia and they're all still Australians. My father was a (white) immigrant and also settled in a place where there was a high proporation of people from his country. This is just how immigration works. Only a racist would care less.

Theres a difference between grouping with people with the same backgrounds ect and the setup's that have sprung up around the place.

Sorry about the large quotes, im have asleep atm.

What "setups"? What exactly are you referring to?

I seem to have hit a brick wall in how to describe what im talking about, simply put there are communties out there that defy australian laws and culture.

Well if someone is defying the law that's a completely separate issue and they should get their day in court.

 

[Nunny]

stuff

Every Australia who isn't Aboriginal is an immigrant or descended from immigrants. English people misbehaved shockingly when they came to Australia, they sure as hell didn't "integrate" into the cultural climate at the time at all, in any way whatsoever. By contrast the overwhelmingly large majority of current migrants integrate into the current Australian cultural climate beautifully. There's always a very slim minority that the media focuses on to drum up racial hatred (because firing people up brings ratings) but I've never met an immigrant in person that didn't like Australian culture and wasn't EXTREMELY grateful to be here.

As for the OP, yeah it's an issue because most of Australia is desert and incapable of supporting anything. But looking at the numbers, the OVERALL numbers are going down and that's a good thing. As for the disparity between skilled migrants and refugees, that's probably due to age demographics, because ageing population is an issue for Australia too. A lot of NZ migrants are older, whereas refugees are usually younger. And just because someone isn't skilled doesn't mean that they can't GET skilled, that's why we have technical colleges and universities. Besides, there's still far more NZ migrants than refugees coming in per year even if these changes go through. 70,000 is still a hell of a lot of Kiwis.

Well technicaly Aboriginee's are also decendent from Immigrants, though there is about 80,000 year difference.

Well yes, this is probably true. But that 80,000 years difference is quite a difference. It's hardly the point I was trying to make though.

Well one could also argue that they didnt intergrate either, introducing animals (dingo) causing others to die out and changing the environment (lighting fires ect).

Anyways

Ive seen a fair few modern immigrants that havent intergrated at all, prefering to form there own "country within a country".

If you went to live in some other country, and you met some other people who were also from your old country, you'd probably hang out with them a lot, try and live in the same area etc, because it would make acclimatising to this strange new land a bit easier if you have people from your culture that you can relate to. This happens with all immigration everywhere, all the time, without exception, because it's just human nature to seek out people whom you have something in common with. It doesn't mean that they're forming a country within a country. There are parts of my city that have more of one race than another in them but so what, it's still Australia and they're all still Australians. My father was a (white) immigrant and also settled in a place where there was a high proporation of people from his country. This is just how immigration works. Only a racist would care less.

Theres a difference between grouping with people with the same backgrounds ect and the setup's that have sprung up around the place.

Sorry about the large quotes, im have asleep atm.

What "setups"? What exactly are you referring to?

I seem to have hit a brick wall in how to describe what im talking about, simply put there are communties out there that defy australian laws and culture.

Well if someone is defying the law that's a completely separate issue and they should get their day in court.

It gets tricky when its based on cultral differences rather then just blattent law breaking.

 

[POckelford]

I always thought this raised the average IQ in both countries?

 

[BonsaiK]

stuff

Every Australia who isn't Aboriginal is an immigrant or descended from immigrants. English people misbehaved shockingly when they came to Australia, they sure as hell didn't "integrate" into the cultural climate at the time at all, in any way whatsoever. By contrast the overwhelmingly large majority of current migrants integrate into the current Australian cultural climate beautifully. There's always a very slim minority that the media focuses on to drum up racial hatred (because firing people up brings ratings) but I've never met an immigrant in person that didn't like Australian culture and wasn't EXTREMELY grateful to be here.

As for the OP, yeah it's an issue because most of Australia is desert and incapable of supporting anything. But looking at the numbers, the OVERALL numbers are going down and that's a good thing. As for the disparity between skilled migrants and refugees, that's probably due to age demographics, because ageing population is an issue for Australia too. A lot of NZ migrants are older, whereas refugees are usually younger. And just because someone isn't skilled doesn't mean that they can't GET skilled, that's why we have technical colleges and universities. Besides, there's still far more NZ migrants than refugees coming in per year even if these changes go through. 70,000 is still a hell of a lot of Kiwis.

Well technicaly Aboriginee's are also decendent from Immigrants, though there is about 80,000 year difference.

Well yes, this is probably true. But that 80,000 years difference is quite a difference. It's hardly the point I was trying to make though.

Well one could also argue that they didnt intergrate either, introducing animals (dingo) causing others to die out and changing the environment (lighting fires ect).

Anyways

Ive seen a fair few modern immigrants that havent intergrated at all, prefering to form there own "country within a country".

If you went to live in some other country, and you met some other people who were also from your old country, you'd probably hang out with them a lot, try and live in the same area etc, because it would make acclimatising to this strange new land a bit easier if you have people from your culture that you can relate to. This happens with all immigration everywhere, all the time, without exception, because it's just human nature to seek out people whom you have something in common with. It doesn't mean that they're forming a country within a country. There are parts of my city that have more of one race than another in them but so what, it's still Australia and they're all still Australians. My father was a (white) immigrant and also settled in a place where there was a high proporation of people from his country. This is just how immigration works. Only a racist would care less.

Theres a difference between grouping with people with the same backgrounds ect and the setup's that have sprung up around the place.

Sorry about the large quotes, im have asleep atm.

What "setups"? What exactly are you referring to?

I seem to have hit a brick wall in how to describe what im talking about, simply put there are communties out there that defy australian laws and culture.

Well if someone is defying the law that's a completely separate issue and they should get their day in court.

It gets tricky when its based on cultral differences rather then just blattent law breaking.

Either someone breaks a law or they do not. If they broke the law, they should go to court. If they didn't, where is the problem?

 

[TheRealCJ]

Remember, kids!

New Zealanders are the ones that voted for a town mayor who believes the poor should be sterilised!

 

[Nunny]

stuff

Every Australia who isn't Aboriginal is an immigrant or descended from immigrants. English people misbehaved shockingly when they came to Australia, they sure as hell didn't "integrate" into the cultural climate at the time at all, in any way whatsoever. By contrast the overwhelmingly large majority of current migrants integrate into the current Australian cultural climate beautifully. There's always a very slim minority that the media focuses on to drum up racial hatred (because firing people up brings ratings) but I've never met an immigrant in person that didn't like Australian culture and wasn't EXTREMELY grateful to be here.

As for the OP, yeah it's an issue because most of Australia is desert and incapable of supporting anything. But looking at the numbers, the OVERALL numbers are going down and that's a good thing. As for the disparity between skilled migrants and refugees, that's probably due to age demographics, because ageing population is an issue for Australia too. A lot of NZ migrants are older, whereas refugees are usually younger. And just because someone isn't skilled doesn't mean that they can't GET skilled, that's why we have technical colleges and universities. Besides, there's still far more NZ migrants than refugees coming in per year even if these changes go through. 70,000 is still a hell of a lot of Kiwis.

Well technicaly Aboriginee's are also decendent from Immigrants, though there is about 80,000 year difference.

Well yes, this is probably true. But that 80,000 years difference is quite a difference. It's hardly the point I was trying to make though.

Well one could also argue that they didnt intergrate either, introducing animals (dingo) causing others to die out and changing the environment (lighting fires ect).

Anyways

Ive seen a fair few modern immigrants that havent intergrated at all, prefering to form there own "country within a country".

If you went to live in some other country, and you met some other people who were also from your old country, you'd probably hang out with them a lot, try and live in the same area etc, because it would make acclimatising to this strange new land a bit easier if you have people from your culture that you can relate to. This happens with all immigration everywhere, all the time, without exception, because it's just human nature to seek out people whom you have something in common with. It doesn't mean that they're forming a country within a country. There are parts of my city that have more of one race than another in them but so what, it's still Australia and they're all still Australians. My father was a (white) immigrant and also settled in a place where there was a high proporation of people from his country. This is just how immigration works. Only a racist would care less.

Theres a difference between grouping with people with the same backgrounds ect and the setup's that have sprung up around the place.

Sorry about the large quotes, im have asleep atm.

What "setups"? What exactly are you referring to?

I seem to have hit a brick wall in how to describe what im talking about, simply put there are communties out there that defy australian laws and culture.

Well if someone is defying the law that's a completely separate issue and they should get their day in court.

It gets tricky when its based on cultral differences rather then just blattent law breaking.

Either someone breaks a law or they do not. If they broke the law, they should go to court. If they didn't, where is the problem?

True True.

Ah well im off to bed anyways.

 

[manic_depressive13]

Well, to be fair, their accents are kinda annoying (no offence meant) =D

 

[Knight Templar]

We have an aging population and places such as south Australia suffer from under-population, and he wants to lower our intake of skilled workers?

 

[SenseOfTumour]

Damn, I almost hate democracy nowadays, with the politicians just pandering to the lowest common denominator.

'Ah dunt like foren folks'
'Vote for me, and we'll boot out the darkies!'

Personally, as a brit, if I was leader of a party, I'd lie my arse off, stating that I'd reduce immigration, and do all the other stuff that the Mail and the Sun demand on a daily basis... then soon as I was in I'd spend 4 years doing horribly unpopular stuff that would improve the country instead of pandering to public opinion, because the public have been proven time and time again to be a shower of fuckwits.

I've got a trade for Australia, we'll take all your New Zealanders, and you can take any Australian criminals we have in our prisons, if Australian-ness is that important.

Note, it's not an attack on Oz, just that one twat who's coming out with this stuff!

 

[Ushario]

Waaaaaiiiit.... how is 35 million people "overpopulated"?!
Has Mr Thompson never been to the UK? Its population is almost double that, and yet it's only just bigger than Victoria.
I know the majority of Australians live on or near the coast, but it's a really big coast.

Yes but that coast has a lot of salt water near it, and very very little FRESH water.
Desalinization plants are all fine and dandy but they use a lot of power. As stated in the article new power plants aren't being built.

Australia has a small population, around 24 million.

People please let the race discussion be dropped, there is no call for it, especially considering we are discussing Kiwi's immigrating here, possibly the closest nation in terms of culture to us.