Dissatisfaction with immigration grows in Vic.

Swinburne University
People and Place Journal
Volume 16, Issue 3 (2008)
Katharine Betts

Immigration has increased considerably since the late 1990s and between 2004 and 2007 the proportion of voters who want the intake to be reduced rose from 34 per cent to 46 per cent. While support for a reduction was highest in New South Wales, this support was already high in 2004. In relative terms support for a reduction rose most strongly in Victoria. This may be because, over the four-year period, Melbourne absorbed a greater proportion of Australia’s population growth than any other region. Despite growing electoral disquiet, the new Labor Government is increasing the immigration program to record levels. (Abstract)

Swinburne Uni Research News

From a conventional economic perspective these years were rosy, so it is unusual to see support for immigration decline so steeply in such circumstances. According to Betts’ “one possibility is that the immediate negative consequences of rapid population growth became evident to more people: rising house prices and rents, pressure to increase residential densities in previously low-density suburbs, increased congestion on the roads, pressure on hospitals and health services and overcrowding on public transport.”

These changes were felt most in Victoria: “This may be because, over the four-year period, Melbourne absorbed a greater proportion of Australia’s population growth than any other region,” said Betts.

Despite this growing electoral disquiet, the new Labor Government is increasing the immigration program to record levels. The total planned permanent intake for 2008-2009 stands at 203,800.

According to Betts’ report, the demographic trajectory that the new Government has committed itself to has minimal electoral support. “Urban congestion and declining housing affordability suggest that the disjunction between this policy and popular feeling may not be easy to ignore over the long term."

Apart from congestion, other explanations probably don't pass the PC filter to get a mention by Betts. Like, as the amount and degree of diversity increases, so does the backlash. Isn't that what Professor Putnam found? It could just be Melbourne catching up to Sydney.

Melbourne's African intake has increased in recent years. Would that rate a mention by Betts? 40 percent of Australians believe that certain ethnic groups do not belong here (Middle Easterners and Africans rating high). Wouldn't it make sense that if you have more African immigrants then you might also have more of a backlash? You'd have to pay $16 to find out if Betts mentions this, but I'd say it's unlikely.

Nope, humans, according to much of academia, only concern themselves with economics and infrastructure. Racial solidarity, linguistic cohesion, crime, culture, and religion are all capable of "disjunction between this policy and popular feeling" but they don't pass the PC filter to rate a mention. Such is the socially vacuous state of our PC filtered universities.

H/T: Eye on Immigration