What can we believe about mass-media reported surveys that give us counterintuitive information about how we are supposed to feel about high immigration and population growth? This article concludes that we need to check with each other, rather than rely on what the press 'reports'.
The publisher of On Line Opinion recently changed its name to The Australian Institute for Progress, as "part of a major change in direction for the organisation". Although they intend to "continue to publish On Line Opinion", they have announced that their "major work will be policy development." (Source: http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/display.asp?page=membership)
The new institute has come out with the results of an online survey of 1349 people which, it claims, showed that Australians were 'deeply divided' on immigration policy, notably regarding how refugees are processed and about immigrants from Islamic countries. These discourses suit the mainstream press because they are conflictual with each other.
The survey reporter noted that “Left-wing voters are humanitarian and see immigration almost entirely in terms of refugee policy,” and that Right-wing voters were more focused on economic and skills aspects of immigration.
It also claimed that 69 per cent of Australians 'support high migration'.
What is perhaps most reliable in this report is the fact that it got so much publicity. The mass media in Australia keenly supports any surveys that show support for high immigration. It is very difficult for groups or individuals who question high immigration to get any sustained publicity, whereas groups and individuals (for example authors of pro-immigration books) easily attract funding and publicity from that power-elite that derives focused benefits from high immigration.
We can expect a lot more propaganda for high immigration, confusing economic immigrants with refugees and giving the impression of growing support for high migration.
Commonsense, however, should give pause, since the 'developed world' is currently going through a period of extremely high and uncontrolled immigration and citizens in many countries are obviously very worried by this trend, despite attempts by the mass media to pretend otherwise.
We should be highly suspicious of reports that tell us that 'most of us' support high immigration. The correct way to ascertain what your fellow citizens really think is to talk to them.
Comments
Minnie Mouse (not verified)
Fri, 2015-10-16 17:47
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"Immigration" synonymous to "asylum seekers"?
From the report: “From our research a strong majority of Australians favours immigration levels as high as, or higher than, at present by 69 per cent to 27 per cent,” Mr Young said. “But that’s where the agreement stops.
"It also claimed that 69 per cent of Australians 'support high migration'." This "high migration" is unlikely to get 69% population support! We just can't help querying just what questions were asked, and how they were framed. No doubt it was assumed that "high immigration" was that of boat people, and our humanitarian intake. The word "immigration" is mainly discussed in reference to asylum seekers or our humanitarian intake, and the public likely assume that it's the total of our intake, despite being about 5% of our total immigration rate. Making "immigration" synonymous to asylum seekers is using the latter as a smoke screen to avoid the discussion or revelation that the greatest proportion of our net overseas migration is in fact overwhelmingly from economic migrants - skilled migrants and family reunions!
No doubt this Institute of Progress is really run by property developers, and those with vested interests in superannuation funds, and investment portfolios.
Australian Institute for Progress
Bob Tucker is the Chairman of this "Institute". He also is the Chairman of Trade Coast Central, a company developing an innovative high-tech industrial subdivision adjoining Brisbane Airport. He is one of Brisbane’s major property developers specialising in industrial and retail developments.
Bob is a former state president of the Queensland Liberal Party.
He graduated from the University of Queensland with a B Pharm Bsc, subsequently founding Green Spot Chemists.
There needs to be an Institute of Sustainability, to learn about limits to growth and how to maintain our lifestyles and future - protected from the hands of growth-lobbyists and their self-serving interests.
Sheila Newman
Sat, 2015-10-17 09:40
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It's time for Australia to have a population conversation, says
It's time for Australia to have a conversation about population, says Tom Elliott.
http://www.3aw.com.au/news/its-time-for-australia-to-have-a-conversation-about-population-says-tom-elliott-20151016-gkb89r.html
The 3AW Drive host said the issue was not being discussed enough at political level.
He said it was too important to ignore.
"I'm sick of hearing stories about the Monash being crowded, the West Gate being crowded, people not being able to afford houses, everything is crowded – there's too many people – etc. etc – we have a choice in this country," Tom declared on 3AW Drive.
"Sixty per cent of our population increase is due to immigration.
"We are one of the few places on earth that can control our own immigrant numbers.
"We can have them higher if we want, or lower if we so desire.
"Why don't we talk about it more?"
He also questioned the stance of some when it came to the issue.
"Why do you get branded a 'racist' if you suggest you want the population to be lower?" Tom said.
"One of the interest things about the Greens, one of the hypocritical things, is that they want us to throw open the doors to asylum seekers but also want our population to be lower because they worry about the effect on the environment of having too many people."
LISTEN: Tom Elliott's full editorial on 3AW Drive LISTEN: Tom Elliott's full editorial on 3AW Drive
End the Growth Ponzi (not verified)
Sat, 2015-10-17 11:07
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Our nation, our people, is more important than our Economy.
Dennis K
Sat, 2015-10-17 13:58
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Seven babies died 'unnecessarily' all at the same Vic hospital
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