Nearly 15,000 signatures cite housing shortages and homelessness
Thousands of Australians have added their names to an online petition urging the Prime Minister to cut net overseas migration to zero, arguing that a pause is needed to improve housing affordability.
The petition, now with almost 15,000 signatures, was launched in February by Conrad Gillard, who is associated with advocacy group Down Under Reform. It contends that Australia’s housing pressures have reached a “tipping point” and points to long-run price growth in Sydney as evidence, citing an increase from a median of $37,000 in 1976 to about $1.4 million today.
It calls for the annual immigration rate to be reduced to zero, with exceptions limited to situations where a critical shortage of clinical healthcare workers or construction workers is imminent, or in other exceptional circumstances. The petition states that these exceptions would not include workers in non-essential industries, refugees, or international students. It also proposes maintaining the setting until the median dwelling price across every capital city falls below five times the median annual income.
In the petition’s description, the organisers argue that earnings growth has not “kept pace” with what it describes as the “astronomical” rise in prices, saying the median home price is now 13 times the average salary.
Source: Cotality
“Numerous researchers have investigated the cause of the housing affordability crisis in Australia,” the petition said. “These investigations have reached a consensus. Simply: Australian cities have not built enough housing to meet the needs of Australia’s growing population.”
“Consequently, there are two possible solutions: Either we must increase the rate of home construction, or decrease the rate of immigration.”
The petition’s organiser argues that measures to lift construction would take years to deliver, even with the “perfect policy”, whereas migration settings could be changed “immediately”.
In comments reported by SkyNews.com.au, Gillard said the petition reflected both personal and national concerns.
“On a personal level, my dream is to own a house and have a family, but with the median Sydney house price now exceeding $1.7 million, this is basically impossible,” he explained. "I am also motivated by concern for Australia as a whole, due to record homelessness, unprecedented ambulance ramping, and the Australian culture being erased.”
Gillard said he wanted the Albanese government to “finally listen to the 21% of Australians” who, in his view, supported a halt to high immigration levels, which he said were placing pressure on infrastructure and housing.
“If they refuse to listen, my hope is that the petition will raise awareness of the impacts of immigration and increase support for parties with low immigration policies,” he said.
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