Letter Published Herald Sun - Saturday July 1 2006

Phong Nguyen, Chairperson ECCV

Helen Said Stewart (My Say 30/6/06) is right to point out the dangers of attacking skilled migration to Australia. We are an immigrant nation built by waves of immigrants since time immemorial. The Snowy Mountains Scheme was carved by European post-war immigrants seeking a better life in this great land of opportunity. The sons of those migrants made all Australians so proud and united in their World Cup quest as the Socceroos. Australia has a rapidly ageing population and skills shortages galore. Better training is one part of the solution but continued support for properly managed immigration programs is the other. If foreign workers on short stays are undermining local conditions this should be dealt with.