Immigration Policy: Putting Australians First
"Building a Strong Australia to Welcome All."
Preamble
Immigration has contributed to Australia’s growth and diversity, but our priority must now shift to addressing the needs of those already here. With rising housing costs, strained infrastructure, and stagnant wages, it is time to take a more measured approach to immigration. The Australia Reimagined Party believes in limiting immigration to sustainable levels, ensuring our resources meet the needs of all Australians, and fostering stronger support for communities already established.
Key Pillars of Our Immigration Policy
Reducing Immigration Levels
Prioritizing Sustainability: We will temporarily reduce immigration levels to ease pressure on housing, healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
Controlled Growth: Immigration will be capped at levels that align with Australia’s ability to provide affordable housing and essential services.
Focus on Existing Australians
Addressing Housing First: Prioritize building homes and reducing housing costs for Australians before expanding the population further.
Rebalancing the Labor Market: Ensure that any skilled migration directly addresses critical labor shortages without displacing or undercutting Australian workers.
Stricter Visa Controls
Temporary Work Visas: Tighten regulations to ensure these visas are used only for genuine skill gaps and not to replace or exploit Australian workers.
Permanent Residency Pathways: Limit pathways to permanent residency to ensure that only those who contribute meaningfully to Australia’s economy and society are granted long-term status.
Humanitarian Commitments with a Focus on Capacity
Refugee Intake: Maintain Australia’s international obligations to accept refugees but cap annual intake at levels that reflect our capacity to house and integrate new arrivals.
Community Support First: Invest in services to assist current refugees and migrants with housing, education, and employment before increasing future intakes.
Strengthening Border Security
Enhanced Border Protections: Strengthen Australia’s border security measures to ensure that immigration laws are enforced, and illegal entries are prevented.
Targeting Exploitation: Crack down on illegal migration and visa overstays to maintain fairness and protect Australian jobs.
Investing in Integration
Supporting Communities Already Here: Focus resources on helping current migrant communities integrate fully into Australian society, including education, housing, and employment assistance.
Encouraging Contribution: Ensure migrants are supported in becoming active, contributing members of society while maintaining their cultural heritage.
Targeted Skilled Migration to Address Critical Shortages
While maintaining a measured approach to immigration, the Australia Reimagined Party acknowledges the pressing need to address specific labor shortages that impact our nation's growth and well-being. To this end, we propose a targeted skilled migration initiative:
Phased Recruitment of Skilled Tradespeople: Implement an immediate intake of 20,000 experienced tradespeople through a streamlined pathway to citizenship, aiming to alleviate workforce shortages in the construction industry and meet housing demands. An additional 20,000 spots will be approved contingent upon a thorough assessment confirming the necessity for further skilled labor.
Economic Growth: Stimulate the economy by creating jobs and meeting the demands of a growing population.
Enhanced Community Development: Foster diverse and vibrant communities enriched by skilled individuals committed to Australia's future.
Ensuring Consistency with Immigration Reduction Goals
This targeted approach is designed to be consistent with our broader objective of reducing overall immigration to sustainable levels. By focusing on specific skill shortages, we can address critical needs without undermining our commitment to prioritize the well-being of current Australians. This strategy ensures that immigration serves the national interest and supports sectors essential to our country's prosperity.
Economic Growth: Stimulate the economy by creating jobs and meeting the demands of a growing population.
Enhanced Community Development: Foster diverse and vibrant communities enriched by skilled individuals committed to Australia's future.
Ensuring Consistency with Immigration Reduction Goals
This targeted approach is designed to be consistent with our broader objective of reducing overall immigration to sustainable levels. By focusing on specific skill shortages, we can address critical needs without undermining our commitment to prioritize the well-being of current Australians. This strategy ensures that immigration serves the national interest and supports sectors essential to our country's prosperity.
Our Commitment to Australians
The Australia Reimagined Party is committed to putting the needs of Australians first. We believe in reducing immigration to sustainable levels, focusing on the housing and employment needs of those already here, and ensuring that future immigration policies align with our nation’s capacity to support growth. However, we recognize that certain critical skill shortages—particularly in sectors like construction, healthcare, information technology, and education—must be addressed to maintain and enhance our nation's infrastructure and services. By implementing targeted skilled migration programs to fill these gaps, we aim to support Australia's development while upholding our commitment to existing citizens.
promise to the world
We promise that once every Australian has access to a fair shot at living their best life—with affordable housing, secure jobs, and quality healthcare—we will open our doors wider to those seeking a new start. Our commitment is to ensure that when we welcome the world, we do so with the confidence that every person, both new and old, can thrive together in a stronger, more united Australia.