Message From CEO

It fills me with optimism and excitement with news that the Immigration Minister, Chris Evans, has indicated that our record high migrant intake is likely to be maintained in 2009. If there will be a cut, it will only be a small one.

The Minister has been consulting widely over the issue, especially with business groups who have said that any sort of cut to the program would only increase the severity of critical skills shortages in many industries and reduce our productive capacity.

Most importantly, the Minister has astutely commented that a big cut to immigration would potentially compromise Australia's reputation and image in the global immigration marketplace. In other words, Australia's brand.

As I have commented before, we need to be looking longer term and seriously consider how we're going to replace the skills of a rapidly growing pool of retirees. The fact is, Australia is not alone on this and we will be competing with other countries for skilled labour, now and well into the future.

This is the first lot of good news! Secondly, the Australian economy is holding up well in the global economic turmoil.

Our economy is still growing, even if marginally, in contrast to most other economies, which are experiencing negative growth. Fortunately – or rather through effective forward thinking and shrewd, sound regulation of its financial structure - Australia is not facing the same disasters as many of its trading partners.

It has been a policy of most Australian governments to build surpluses into their budget. These are now being applied to minimising the effect of the world economic downturn. Although the country's economy is under pressure, unemployment is still less than 5%, although it might edge higher. Thousands of skilled professionals and trades people are still required across the nation.

If you have been considering the move to our wonderful country, there has never been a better time.

On behalf of the entire LIVE IN australia.com team, I wish you and your family a very happy and safe festive season and we would all love to see you in Australia in 2009.

Assyl

PS. You can now view the latest results from our immigration survey. If you would like to have your say, please visit the site today.