Can I ask why Australia's migrant intake this year will be a record 400,000 when ours won't be?

I mean, I know the answer. But it is worth asking, especially if you are interested in us as a country getting on with life and, in general, achieving any real level of success.

I gave you the numbers last week in regards to Australia long term - by the end of the decade millions more will have arrived. Each year is looking to break records. Australia is hot.

It's an astonishing story of success.

We know more and more post covid every day, we know the world is short of labour, we know it’s a competition to get that talent into your country and we know our numbers are starting to rise, but to nowhere near the level they once were.

Part of that is deliberate. The Government didn’t want people coming here. It was not just idiotic - it was a glaring mistake and a mistake they have lately had to be dragged kicking and screaming to try and rectify.

But as the rules were changed, a new reality slapped us - why weren't the numbers booming? Was reputation now at play?

I think the answer, if you look at Australia, might be yes.

It is impossible to believe Australia has record numbers and we don’t, given we are in the same part of the world and offer, broadly, the same sort of lifestyle.

The specifics are the key.

The number of jobs, the sort of jobs, the pay, the rules of engagement and of course the state of the economy, considering their economy is starting to leave ours in the dust, all matter when choosing a country.

Immigration drives growth and investment and jobs and diversity.

Our hermit kingdom approach is now being shown to be costing us a fortune.

The world is a smorgasbord for those who relish new chances, new jobs, new lives and new futures.

It's possible we will get 40,000 through our doors this year. Australia gets 400,000.

Who do you reckon wins that game?

Can I ask why Australia's migrant intake this year will be a record 400,000 when ours won't be?
I mean, I know the answer. But it is worth asking, especially if you are interested in us as a country getting on with life and, in general, achieving any real level of success.
I gave you the numbers last week in regards to Australia long term - by the end of the decade millions more will have arrived. Each year is looking to break records. Australia is hot.
It's an astonishing story of success.
We know more and more post covid every day, we know the world is short of labour, we know it’s a competition to get that talent into your country and we know our numbers are starting to rise, but to nowhere near the level they once were.
Part of that is deliberate. The Government didn’t want people coming here. It was not just idiotic - it was a glaring mistake and a mistake they have lately had to be dragged kicking and screaming to try and rectify.
But as the rules were changed, a new reality slapped us - why weren't the numbers booming? Was reputation now at play?
I think the answer, if you look at Australia, might be yes.
It is impossible to believe Australia has record numbers and we don’t, given we are in the same part of the world and offer, broadly, the same sort of lifestyle.
The specifics are the key.
The number of jobs, the sort of jobs, the pay, the rules of engagement and of course the state of the economy, considering their economy is starting to leave ours in the dust, all matter when choosing a country.
Immigration drives growth and investment and jobs and diversity.
Our hermit kingdom approach is now being shown to be costing us a fortune.
The world is a smorgasbord for those who relish new chances, new jobs, new lives and new futures.
It's possible we will get 40,000 through our doors this year. Australia gets 400,000.
Who do you reckon wins that game?

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Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show. Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda. The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion, delivers the best talent, and always leaves you wanting more. The Mike Hosking Breakfast always cuts through and delivers the best daily on Newstalk ZB.

Open your mind to the world with New Zealand’s number one breakfast radio show.Without question, as New Zealand’s number one talk host, Mike Hosking sets the day’s agenda.The sharpest voice and mind in the business, Mike drives strong opinion,...