Australia's Immigration Revolution(2009)

Andrew MarkusPeter McDonaldJames Jupp

How well is Australia handling immigration at a time of increased international and ethnic tensions? Immigration and Australia's Future examines the social impact of the huge increase in Australia's immigration program over the past decade. Rates of immigration to Australia nearly doubled under Howard and have increased to record levels under Rudd. These new immigrants join the 6.5 million who have arrived in Australia since 1945 from the UK, Europe, and Asia. How well are newer immigrants faring? Are they able to readily obtain education and jobs? Are immigrants from some backgrounds doing better than others? Drawing on major surveys of social cohesion, as well as demographic and other data, Andrew Markus examines how well newer immigrants are being accepted by the wider Australian community. He shows that despite Australia's controversial asylum policies and certain incidents, actually Australia's immigration program is relatively successful by international standards.