Automation eliminates need for mass immigration

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The business lobby, policy makers and the federal government have for years run the argument that Australia needs to run a mass immigration program to overcome future skills shortages.

The argument generally goes something like this:

  • Australia’s population is ageing fast and with the large baby boomer cohort headed into retirement, Australia is facing an acute shortage of workers.
  • Australia, therefore, needs to import large numbers of workers from abroad to ensure that it has enough workers to fill jobs and support retirees.

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About the author
Leith van Onselen is Chief Economist at the MB Fund and MB Super. He is also a co-founder of MacroBusiness. Leith has previously worked at the Australian Treasury, Victorian Treasury and Goldman Sachs.