Howard's door open to skilled migrants
Herald Sun --- Page: 66 : 7 February 2005
Original article by Mike Nahan
Australia has experienced a boom in immigration under the present Federal Government. The number of migrants settling in Australia has risen by 60 per cent under Prime Minister John Howard, from just 73,000 in 1996 to 120,000 in 2004. The number of skilled migrants in particular has risen significantly, resulting in a fall in the average age of migrants and an increase in the employment levels of new migrants. The upturn in skilled migrants has helped to offset the "brain drain", which has seen a growing number of Australians move overseas for an extended period