The UK is in the midst of an immigration crisis. David Cameron and the Conservatives committed, prior to the 2010 election, to reduce immigration numbers to less than 100 000 migrants entering Britain per year. Cameron cited limited jobs, pay and housing as his primary concerns in motivating him towards this goal. He also referenced the state of economic growth and low immigration levels that existed in the 1990s, as evidence that this move is achievable.

The response received by George Megalogenis’ Making Australia Great, the 3-part documentary shown in ABC, has been very positive. Not only that, viewers and reviewers alike have expressed their enjoyment watching the series, and seeing it embrace a sensitive topic economics which seem intimidating to the point of unfeasibility for prime time Television. It isn’t exactly something anybody would particularly be begging to watch, especially on a Tuesday night, right? But here’s where you’re wrong. The economic protectionism and the White Australia Policy, both of which emerged around this time, were 2 sides of an interconnected economic and cultural closure of our country’s boundaries.

On the 19th of September of 2014, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) began its review of its present skilled migration and temporary visa programmes.

The review is going to involve key bodies in the Government, as well as migration agents, employers, and the general public in gathering together so changes that need to be made can be discussed in enhancing skilled migration in Australia. However, what we would like to know are the factors that have pushed for this review and what is the outcome the Australian government is hoping for from this exercise.