We love having a chat about what’s going on in Canberra — and there’s certainly been a lot going on with our good friend, the Shadow Immigration Minister, Paul Scarr. He’s on the line now. G’day, mate.
Senator Scarr
G’day, Tim. How are you?
Tim Webster
They say a week is a long time in politics — well, so is a couple of days. We’ve got a very different landscape now. How are you coping with it all?
Senator Scarr
Oh, look, Tim, we had the Party Room meeting, and they decided to elect Angus and Jane as Leader and Deputy Leader. They both gave very strong presentations immediately after the vote, and over the weekend you’ve seen them out strongly campaigning in the community, meeting Australians, and raising the issues that we need to talk about — including the fact that Australians’ standard of living is going backwards.
At the same time, we’re going to be facing a by‑election in Farrer. I do want to say that Sussan Ley was very gracious.
Tim Webster
I thought so too — very dignified indeed.
Senator Scarr
I think that was really important, because we are facing that by‑election. It’s so important that we’re united, we get behind the leadership, and we win that seat.
Tim Webster
Now, Angus Taylor has mentioned housing, Jane Hume has talked about nuclear power, and the Opposition is having nothing to do with any changes to Capital Gains Tax. I also noticed Angus has invited Jim Chalmers to take a bipartisan approach to trying to fix things. But, mate — your portfolio area. Why can’t we pause immigration for five years? Why can’t we do that?
Senator Scarr
There are different elements that make up immigration. When you say “pause,” Tim, I think it’s important that those immigration numbers come down — they’ve got to come down, no doubt about that. As I’ve said many times on your program, and I’ll say it again today, the current rate of immigration is just too high.
We’ve actually lost the social licence, if I can call it that — the support of the Australian people — for the current rate of immigration.
When you break immigration down, there are different components. For example, under the arrangements we have with New Zealand — the Trans‑Tasman Agreement — New Zealanders have a right to come to Australia, just as Australians have a right to go to New Zealand. Last year, net overseas migration from New Zealand — that’s the balance of those coming here versus those leaving — was plus 39,000. Those New Zealanders have a right under current arrangements to come to Australia.
Then you’ve got partner visas. We’ve spoken about this before. There are currently 102,000 people with applications in to the Department of Home Affairs to bring their partner — their wife, husband, loved one — to Australia. Typically, tens of thousands of those people come each year.
Then we’ve got the skills crisis.
Tim Webster
What about clearing the backlog of current applications and then saying, “Okay, maybe we can’t stop it completely for five years, but we can really bring it back until we deal with what we’ve got,” particularly with housing?
Senator Scarr
The frustration is there, as we’ve talked about before, Tim. We are building tens of thousands fewer houses this year than we did ten years ago. It’s absolutely ridiculous.
At the same time, we had Senate Estimates last week — and a lot happened last week. One thing that came out of it: there are now 50,000 people who have either applied for a student visa to stay in the country or have had a student visa cancelled and are appealing that decision.
Fifty thousand people — and while they’re appealing, they have a bridging visa and remain in the country. Two and a half years ago, that number was only 2,500. Now it’s 50,000. So there’s a real issue there. The system isn’t working.
Tim Webster
I don’t expect you to tell me what’s been happening in your phone conversations, but usually when there are new leaders, there’s either a small broom or a big broom. Are you confident you’ll keep your job?
Senator Scarr
It’s the prerogative of the Leader, and I deeply respect that, Tim. It’s not about me — it’s about the national interest. It’s about Australia’s best interests. Whatever happens, I’ll respect the decisions that are made. It’s not about me, mate. It’s never been about me — it’s about the best interests of the country.
Tim Webster
Pretty good attitude to have. Mate, thank you for Canberra Conversations. It’s been terrific to talk to you. We will talk again — but you never know what happens in the world of politics, or radio for that matter.
Senator Scarr
Okay, you take care, mate.
