Eumundi Voice - Issue 99, 8 August 2024

ON THIS DAY

Multicultural Qld Month

August is Multicultural Qld Month. Councils across the state are hosting events to acknowledge the rich cultural diversity of our towns and regions, whether it is on the sports field, in community gardens, at work, in theatre or when sharing a meal.

While we often read in the press about the negative effects of migration, there are many positives. Overall, Australia has benefited from migration. In 2021, the Australian Centre for Population partnered with The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to investigate the impacts of migration on the Australian economy.

The resulting papers were released over 2023 and 2024. Key findings included that migrants boost the labour productivity of Australian-born workers. On average, a region with a 10% larger migrant share (e.g. 33% instead of 30%) has a 1.3% larger regional wage difference, indicating a positive link between migration and labour productivity.

In addition, migration to Australia had led to more patents, that is, an increase in innovation. On average, a 1 percentage point increase in the regional employment share of higher-educated migrants (those with at least a college degree) relative to total employment leads to a 4.8% rise in regional patent applications over a 5-year period. Visit: population.gov.au/publications/ research/oecd-findings-effects-migrationaustralias-economy.

The OECD found that migration’s impact on wellbeing and development depends on seamless integration and concerted efforts by different levels of government and communities.

Behind every migration statistic, there are individuals or families trying to start a new life. Multicultural Qld Month is all about acknowledging that those families and individuals make our communities stronger.