The Population Debate We Never Had

Migration 2010: The Population Debate We Never Had

6 October 2010

Following months of partisan gamesmanship over an apolitical Intergenerational Report and cynical election campaigning against a "big Australia" and over rival refugee processing centres, Australia is no closer to consensus on the very legitimate question of future migration levels.

The release of the Australia Bureau of Statistics' March quarter 2010 migration estimates demonstrates a precipitous 37 percent fall in Net Overseas Migration (NOM) against the previous year, bringing into sharp focus the ongoing need for a national conversation on Australia's Migration Program.

The Migration 2010 Conference addresses these issues directly, turning over its Friday 8 October sessions to Australia's demographic outlook, population levels and skills needs, starting with an opening address from the new Immigration Minister, Chris Bowen.

"After a year of great change, migration advice professionals, potential immigrants, business leaders and universities are all looking for answers," said MIA CEO Maurene Horder. "While the Migration Program remains in flux, this Conference will allow Australia the population debate we never had."

Other presenters include Dr Glenn Withers AO, CEO of Universities Australia, who delivers the keynote address, Migration, Education, Population, Cooperation; and BIS Shrapnel Managing Director, Robert Mellor, whose talk, Australia's Future Migration Levels, is on the economics of population controls.

Leading demographer Professor Graeme Hugo, Chair of the Commonwealth's Demographic Change and Liveability Panel, delivers Australia's Population; while Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) Chief Economist Mark Cully leads the panel discussion A Global Labour Market.

Migration 2010 is the annual event of the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA), bringing together experts and practitioners for three days of presentations and discussions, 8-10 October in Sydney. Its Saturday sessions focus on refugee issues, whilst Sunday is three streams of education workshops.

Media welcome, contact below to arrange on site and preview interviews, media entry and enquiries
Migration 2010 Conference
8-10 October 2010
Novotel Brighton Beach, Sydney
http://mia.org.au/conference

Available for Interview
Maurene Horder
Chief Executive Officer Migration Institute of Australia
www.mia.org.au

Contact
Brian Duff
Communications Manager
[email protected]

SOURCE: Migration Institute of Australia (MIA)