Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Women) Share this | Hansard source

I did say 'small' amount of notice. It is a very important question. Our migration programs should serve all of our communities. I would hope that everybody in this chamber would agree that Australia is a stand-out when it comes to being one of the most successful migration nations globally. A well-managed migration program is, without a doubt, fundamental to Australia's future prosperity. Senator Bernardi, I agree that we need to ensure that the benefits of our migration program flow to all members of our community.

In responding to the specific question that you raised on migration's impact on per capita income, I draw your attention to a recent work of the Productivity Commission that looked into this very matter. The Productivity Commission undertook a review of Australia's migration intake last year. In its report, tabled on 12 September 2016, the Productivity Commission noted that there are indeed a number of important benefits of migration. For example:

By increasing the proportion of people in the workforce, immigration can provide a demographic dividend to the Australian economy and reduce the impacts of population ageing.

Moreover, the Productivity Commission found that by sustaining migration at 'this long-term average rate, and with the current age profile of the migrant intake, gross domestic product (GDP) per person is projected to increase by some seven per cent relative to a zero net overseas migration case by 2060'.

Again, I emphasise that the benefits of migration to the Australian community, including through increased incomes on a per capita basis, can only be done(Time expired)