Australia's population growth fastest in developed world as migrants rush in

Yeah, it all sounds rosy, but there are quite a few 'dark' facts missing from this article. The most shocking is, apprenticeships have dropped by a staggering 70% in the manufacturing and mining industries. This means, the majority of the labor force is being replaced with untrained labor at a much cheaper cost. Then, there is the issue of inter-racial cultural violence running rampant in the major cities. Melbourne has always been a very multi-cultural city. However, with the recent influx of immigrants from the Middle East and Africa it has become a very violent and dangerous city. There are gangs of African youths running amuck in the streets and shopping centers. Household break ins have increased by over 50% in the last three years, as have car theft and highjacking. There is a point where cultural diversity becomes a cultural boiling pot and many cities in Australia are on the threshold of cultural turmoil.

Yeah, it all sounds rosy, but there are quite a few 'dark' facts missing from this article. The most shocking is, apprenticeships have dropped by a staggering 70% in the manufacturing and mining industries. This means, the majority of the labor force is being replaced with untrained labor at a much cheaper cost. Then, there is the issue of inter-racial cultural violence running rampant in the major cities. Melbourne has always been a very multi-cultural city. However, with the recent influx of immigrants from the Middle East and Africa it has become a very violent and dangerous city. There are gangs of African youths running amuck in the streets and shopping centers. Household break ins have increased by over 50% in the last three years, as have car theft and highjacking. There is a point where cultural diversity becomes a cultural boiling pot and many cities in Australia are on the threshold of cultural turmoil.

The statistics on apprenticeships are shocking, but lets face it, educating for trades has taken a back seat in this country for a very long time. At least 3 or 4 decades now. Everybody wants to go to university, whether they are suited to it or not and whether the jobs for their specialization exist or not.

How is the Apex gang in Melbourne these days? I heard its settled down a lot, which is good to hear.

Fundamentally I feel that if you come from a majority Muslim country and you actually follow the text of the Koran, you are really going to struggle to fit into our society as our social norms are so far removed from what is outlined in religious teachings, especially in regards to women. I think Muslims that do well in Australia, economically and in terms of having a broad array of relationships, almost have to suspend part of their religion in order to achieve it and of course there not all willing to do that. You cannot read the Koran and coming away thinking that associating with Christians, Catholics or Atheists is a good idea. That's just a fact.

Far more concerning for me are the levels of immigration from mainland China. I think we need strong and very well designed psychological testing of potential immigrants to test their views around free speech in particular, but Western values more generally. Honestly, I would be cutting immigrating from mainland China to the bone, but I would encourage it from Taiwan and Hong Kong, since they have been exposed to a democratic tradition. Its not about their ethnicity, its about their willingness to embrace out traditions and act in our interests, not the CCP! But really I think the testing should be applied to everyone, no matter their origin.

That's why I ain't going back.

Australia has changed so much since I was growing up, & not much for the better.

The Lucky country not so lucky anymore?

A national catastrophe. One just needs to look at the average rent or house price in Sydney to see what sort of farce this breakneck population has become. When will everyone be satisfied of the population? When average house prices in Sydney are $10 million and monthly rent is $20,000?

"Migration to Australia"n cities is what it should read.

Never think that Sydney or Melbourne are like Balina, the Alice or Broome - they're not. Rents and such are far less away from cities. But someone is going to complain that regional areas are not where the jobs are. An historical absence of sensible government policies are one cause of that

But most people gravitate to the cities, and not just in Australia. Strange because when the post-war migration schemes occurred, people were taken to regional areas for a couple of years. Many stayed there. Doesn't happen now.

Um, people from places and cultures that have no democratic or Christian tradition now? I can almost hear the Indigenous people laughing about all the Euro-immigrants and their descendants.

One of the things that is rarely discussed is the impact that migration has on the societies that these migrants are leaving. They are often the most educated and resourceful people in their communities and their departure dooms their countries to be underdeveloped, corrupt, and undemocratic. Can you think of any company which would invest in a country where the best and brightest are leaving? Why would any taxpayers in these countries fund an education system when the first thing graduates will do is escape to the west? I find it interesting that the same people who constantly complain about how the west historically colonized and exploited the material resources of poor countries are happy for the west to open its borders and essentially strip mine the third world of its smartest and most valuable human assets.

The Lucky country not so lucky anymore?

Its still a great place to live. If you like a more rural or coastal lifestyle, its even better in my view because your value for money goes up considerably once you leave the cities. If you earn a moderate wage you can have a nice life in a regional city.

Never think that Sydney or Melbourne are like Balina, the Alice or Broome - they're not.

Like two different countries in many ways. Even in NSW, once you go over the Blue Mountains, its another world.

One of the things that is rarely discussed is the impact that migration has on the societies that these migrants are leaving. They are often the most educated and resourceful people in their communities and their departure dooms their countries to be underdeveloped, corrupt, and undemocratic.

That's true and its been a recognized problem for a long time. They need a sound education and experience. If you have a talent an association with high quality Western university will open doors for you. The personal temptation must be huge. If an individual is funded by their government their should be a greater emphasis on the need for a graduate to return for a period of time. You see a lot of skilled Indian immigrants that come here. I am happy to see that generally speaking, they bring a democratic tradition and in future, no doubt, India will be a powerhouse, but you wonder about the impact back home.

Imo very much a double-edged sword. Sure hundreds of thousands of uber qualified migrants bring economic growth & skills but they also drastically change a country where initially money wasn't everything, where one could easily make a decent living, buy a house and where inequalities were much less pronounced.

Perso I moved to oz for the lifestyle, the laid-back outdoor culture, free-spirited mindset etc not to get rich. Most migrants I have met in the last decade or so came for one thing and one thing only: $$$. They know there's money to be made in oz. I don't like it and completely understand that aussies don't like it either. 

Re aussies themselves, I often tell my mates that they are at risk of becoming 2nd class citizens in their own country ( and I sure am too!). Ppl like us who enjoy life, aren't overly ambitious yet want to make good money 'the right way' are no longer welcome. It's all about investing & buying/selling that's why you no longer get a 55/60sqm one bedroom apt for under a million aud in Sydney's north shore or east subs.

Imo successive Australian governments have failed to understand that more ($, goods, qualified ppl etc) isn't always better.

The article says most of migrants are from China, Britain, New Zealand, and India. Honestly, how can it be so bad? They should have thousands of young and healthy men from Africa, who riots almost on daily basis, because they dislike the food that they can eat for free. Well maybe the Australians can complain for immigration in their Country.

Real Aussies are always welcoming of migrants because it's just the way we are. Friendly, laid back and loving! Of course migration does come with its fair share amount of challenges such as those bloody thug groups ( truth be told the cops are doing a darn good job of controlling them recently) but hey they also bring a lot of good skilled and educated people who have helped with their sweat and blood to build up Australia the way it is today! It's only natural for us to welcome good migrants since the land originally belonged to the aborigines who did not have much say in the first place when outsiders entered Aus! Now it's only fair to live in love and harmony in a multicultural society and if you don't like it then feel free to leave from the land down under in the same way as some mates commenting above have done! Stop hating and start loving...

Disillusioned. I totally agreed with you. Also, the crime rates is increasing with the population growth rate. The serious crimes committed by Middle-East drug gangs and African youth gangs are increasing Sydney and Melbourne.