The Oz reports on
Australia’s hunt for skilled workers. “Australia will launch the
biggest global recruitment drive for skilled migrants since the ‘ten
pound pom’ campaign in the 1950s and 60s, as the Howard Government
tries to attract 20,000 workers from across Europe and Asia to rescue
key industries from labour shortages.

“The Department of
Immigration and Multicultural Affairs will next month begin a foray
into the international jobs marketplace, with officials holding a
series of expos in London, Berlin, Chennai and Amsterdam to spruik
Australia’s culture and lifestyle to foreign workers.” This shows
serious concern about the overstretched labour market. It’s hard to
believe this drive can contribute much in the short run, but it is good
thinking for the medium term. Henry’s view from 2001 is linked here.