In a speech to the IPA Tony Abbott, among other things, suggested that the government should reduce immigration, which could be done “swiftly as it would not require state an territory approval or Senate negotiation”. So, we know that there would be no problem from the usual Left suspects, even though Mr. Abbott didn't do anything about burgeoning immigration when he had the chance as PM.

Abbott said that we should halve immigration – i.e. to around 100, 000. But, why name a figure? Why not simply import only those people Australia actually needs? It is not up to Australia to provide somewhere 'nice to live' for foreigners.

«It is not up to Australia to provide somewhere 'nice to live' for foreigners.»

Correct, but neither to deny it.

Dick Smith successful business man, with far more nous than any politician, thinks that 70, 000 annually is 'about right'; but, here again, why set a figure? Immigration should be about Australia, not people who would like to come here to live. We are almost twice over our optimal population now.

what about we try to think of ways to foster intergration, why dont we only bring in women for 10years until intergration takes place.

That would put an end to muslim migration because they wouldnt allow their women to come here. Immigration should be done so that we become a cohesive nation
otherwise, we will just have big opposing tribes and eventually bloody warfare.

The biological aspect of mass immigration and how to make tribes cohesive at the kin, bloodline level, should be part of the equation. Otherwise you will always have a divided society.

Integration is important , but multiculturalism, aka tribalism, works against it. ALL people, irrespective of race, colour or beliefs, naturally gravitate towards their own kind. Politicians don't appreciate this.

However, that's not what this is about; it's about cutting all immigration, at least until infrastructure, employment opportunities, wages and housing catch up – ie there are too many people coming here, and for the purpose of this discussion, the identities of people are not the issue.

Abbott thinks immigration should be cut at least until infrastructure and housing stocks catch up to the highest immigration rate in Western world. Low wage growth, high housing prices and social integration are all caused by high immigration. He rightly claims that it's a “basic law of economics” that increasing labour supply depresses wages. And for those who come here determined not do any 'labouring' at all, but who are attracted by our generous welfare - all they do is increase costs for everyone and contribute nothing.

Immigration is never mentioned at election time, and when things like cost of housing and stagnating wages are discussed by the politicians, not one of them is prepared to bring up the problem that is causing these things – mass immigration. Last year, the government PLANNED for a migrant intake of 190, 000, while still waffling on about these matters! The actual intake was 183,608. Madness!

In the past 6 years, our living standard has stagnated - with high immigration. Obviously there have been no benefits from more people, despite what our huff and puff Treasurer tries to con us with. As usual, Malcolm Turnbull has nothing to say on the subject.

If only Abbott had not tried to be Mr Nice guy inclusive prime minister, & had kicked the disgusting Turnbull out on his ear, we might have a competent PM today.

Like Howard, who was a good PM after his time in the wilderness, Abbott will have learnt, & would not make those mistakes again. The pity is there is no longer a Liberal party worth leading.

The Liberal Party will probably end up a piddly little thing like the one in the UK that helps prop up the Conservatives.

Some key factors should be set for immigrants, with the most important being, if you have nothing to offer, we don't want you. We have enough passengers already and don't need any more.

rehctub,

That's true. The problem is that politicians just want more money and more votes. Even the ones who never get off the dole spend (our) money. However, they don't want to spend that money on sufficient infrastructure to cater for these hordes. Politicians keep getting huge pay increases while workers get less and less of the pie as more people arrive. They are proud of the 'growth', but not many us get to benefit from it. Fewer immigrants and more innovative politicians is what we need.

Business are also abusing the 457 Visa program to suppress wages. Cutting immigration of all kinds would demonstrate that the government acknowledges that its first duty is to its own citizens. But, of course, Australian governments of all colours seem to think that their duty is only to themselves.

The best that immigrant, Mathias Cormann could come up with on the subject is the usual whine that government isn't as 'bad as Labor'.

James Morrow supports Tony Abbott in The Telegraph 23/2/18.

Both major parties are big-Australia junkies. Morrow starts with the Left who see immigration as a way to “remake Australia”, but who “stretch credulity” when they turn every Australia Day into a “festival of self-flagellation”, then “turn on a dime” and demand that even more people are brought here to “colonise”what they refer to as a illegitimate colonial nation.

They tell themselves and everybody else what terrible people Australians are ; how we stole the country from the (maybe) original inhabitants – then they turn around and invite millions of others to do the same thing.

Then there are the “leafy suburbs” mob who are not in the slightest affected by immigrants, because immigrants don't go to the leafy suburbs. Morrow finds it hard not to be cynical about people who punt for mass immigration and multiculturalism, but never see the result, as do those in lower socio-economic suburbs that are being over-run.

Morrow suggests (sigh) another plebiscite like the SSM one (which was not a plebiscite, but a postal opinion poll). No thanks. Polls already show what people think, and it's high bloody time that politicians took notice – it would be cheaper that way.

Peter van Onselen in The Australian writes of “evidence” that the jobs needed to support the hordes of people coming here just will not be there in the future. “Artificial intelligence” will “erode jobs”. Then there is the deliberate outsourcing of jobs to Third World countries, including the skilled jobs like law and accounting. Not a conservative person at all, even he asks whether “ if swelling the population is merely going to swell dole queues and cost of social services”.

The tired old mantra about migrants bringing prosperity is correct - for the 20th Century. But it is no longer happening, and we do not have to bring people here.

Two senior politicians are either stupid or just liars. Trade Minister, Steve Ciobo says that mass immigration does not increase house prices. The Productivity Commission says it does.

Mathias Cormann says the 'experts' agree with mass immigration, when the Australian Population Research Institute says immigration should be halved.

Let's get rid of these dummies posing as politicians.