David Speers will present a special edition of ABC National Forum tonight, putting Australia’s migration debate under the spotlight as politicians, policy experts and community voices examine the economic and social questions surrounding the country’s intake.
Australia’s migration policy has played a major role in shaping the country’s multicultural population, but the program will examine growing concern about current migration levels and what those concerns could mean for Australia’s future.
According to material promoting the forum, a record number of Australians now believe migration levels are too high, prompting questions about the country’s prosperity, infrastructure and national identity.
ABC National Forum will bring together experts in immigration policy with representatives from business, education and regional communities, along with Australians contributing their own experiences and views.
Migration has also become an increasingly prominent political issue in Australia, as well as in Europe and the United States.
Labor, the Coalition and One Nation agree the migration intake is too high, according to the program material, but differ over how it should be reduced.
The forum will examine why net overseas migration has been difficult to bring down and consider which visa categories could face changes under different approaches.
It will also look at what migrants contribute to Australia and the costs associated with population growth, including pressures involving housing, infrastructure and the broader economy.
Joining the program are Minister for Multicultural Affairs Anne Aly, Shadow Minister for Industry and Sovereign Capability Andrew Hastie and One Nation Treasury Spokesman Barnaby Joyce.
The discussion will also turn to Australia’s five-decade commitment to multiculturalism, examining why an approach once widely celebrated has become a more divisive part of the national political conversation.
With migration now at the centre of debate over population and Australia’s future direction, David Speers will lead the forum through the competing arguments and policy questions shaping the issue.
