It isn’t just the immigrants who are going to have their visa applications fast-tracked if they agree to settle in regional Queensland, but the refugees as well. This was according to a proposal made by the premier of the Queensland government, Mr. Campbell Newman.
Mr. Newman met with Mr. Scott Morrison, the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, to discuss a plan that consists of different strategies so visa applications can be fast-tracked as long as pressure can be alleviated in the south eastern part of Queensland by driving growth outside the area.
This strategy is all part of the premier’s plan, 1st raised in the Queensland Plan summits of 2013.
Around one hundred thousand migrants choose to settle in Queensland every year. Right now, approximately sixty five per cent of the population in Queensland are living in its southeastern part, including the Sunshine and Gold coasts, as well as Brisbane. The introduction of the proposal means that the Newman government is serious about having the population of the state settling out of the southeast by the year 2043.
In the next thirty years or so, it is anticipated that the Queensland’s population will double to around 8,000,000. Mr. Newman also said that the regions of the state would be a no-brainer if we’re looking at a good place to accommodate the expected growth.
The premier states, “It could be that if you want to come to Australia, you might be on a certain waiting list. Maybe you could get bumped up the queue if you go and spend at least 5 years in a regional city in Queensland, a regional town.”
To decide where the refugees and the immigrants will go, the government will closely work with the councils so they can work their influence on them. Because of this huge move, the migration intake in the state is expected to rise.
To support the huge growth plans of the Queensland government, the premier made a promise that he will focus on more projects to improve infrastructure in that region.
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