Australia's skills shortage has never been worse. People are crying out for plumbers, doctors and nurses. In states that are booming thanks to a mining bonanza—Western Australia, Queensland and South Australia—engineers, surveyors and truck drivers are in short supply. One state-owned water authority complains that it is losing truckers to mining companies offering A$100,000 ($96,000) a year—more than double their previous salary.
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In many rich countries where immigration is a politically sensitive matter—America, Britain and Ireland—the number of immigrants seems to be falling as the economy turns down. Not in Australia. The Labor government, under Kevin Rudd, is looking to increase the numbers of foreigners allowed to settle. His predecessor, John Howard, the former conservative leader, had already begun to increase the number, but had to pretend otherwise, since his party claimed to put “Australia first”. Mr Rudd is playing up the increases. On May 13th his government said that Australia would take 190,300 immigrants next year, a rise of 25% on this year. The biggest jump comes in the proportion of those chosen for their skills in a booming economy: at 133,500 they now account for a record 70% of the total intake. continue: economist
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In many rich countries where immigration is a politically sensitive matter—America, Britain and Ireland—the number of immigrants seems to be falling as the economy turns down. Not in Australia. The Labor government, under Kevin Rudd, is looking to increase the numbers of foreigners allowed to settle. His predecessor, John Howard, the former conservative leader, had already begun to increase the number, but had to pretend otherwise, since his party claimed to put “Australia first”. Mr Rudd is playing up the increases. On May 13th his government said that Australia would take 190,300 immigrants next year, a rise of 25% on this year. The biggest jump comes in the proportion of those chosen for their skills in a booming economy: at 133,500 they now account for a record 70% of the total intake. continue: economist
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