Immigration issue complex

Comments on Paul Kelly “Battle of ideas that will make or break this nation”, 18/08/2010, http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/commentary/battle-of-ideas-that-will-make-or-break-this-nation/story-e6frgd0x-1225906535690
Paul, the point on immigration can be misleading.

It could be interpreted that the migrant intake has been driven by economic and labour-market needs. Alternatively it could be interpreted as a failure in government policy in education and training, as well as in welfare policy regarding the unemployed.

Further, it could also be interpreted as a subsidy to business profits and a tax to labour already within Australia, because it increases business profits and lowers wages – a typical political economy between labour and capital.

Of course, there are also other externalities such as infrastructures and the living environment.

It is a complex issue than most commentators think it is.

The argument for headline GDP or economic growth is a big problem.

The battle of ideas is an important point, in the sense of this complex context.