India FTA opens visa flood gates

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As expected, the newly inked Australia-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will open the immigration floodgates, greatly increasing access for Indian workers and students:

Australian and Indian architects, engineers and accountants will be recognised in each other’s countries under a new free trade deal between the two nations…

Up until now, architects, engineers and accountants have had to go through various exams and approval processes to practise in each other’s countries.

A “side letter” accompanying the trade deal, which was signed over the weekend, also includes post-study work rights that will allow Indian students to live, work and undertake further study in Australia for years after the initial completion of their studies here.

Indians will be able to work temporarily for up to 18 months after the completion of a diploma or trade qualification, two years after their bachelor degree, three years after their master’s degree, and four years after their doctoral degree…

Trade Minister Dan Tehan said the education sector held the greatest promise for Australia’s trading relationship with India.

“One million Indians turn 18 every month, so there is a huge and growing demand for a high-quality education,” Mr Tehan said…

Australia will also grant visas to 1000 young Indians every year who want a working holiday in the country.

Obviously, the flow of professionals will be one way from India to Australia. This is concerning as the Indian tertiary education system is far inferior to Australia’s.

This is deal is a slap in the face for Australia’s young people seeking careers in professional industries who will be shut out by Indians prepared to work for much lower salaries. Older Australian professionals will also find themselves increasingly unemployable over 50.

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This FTA is all about providing cheap labour and demand for Big Business and Big Property, and students for the edu-migration lobby.

It will further suppress wage growth and exacerbate infrastructure and housing strains across Australia.

It is one final treasonous betrayal of Australian workers by a corrupt government prior to being booted from office.

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About the author
Leith van Onselen is Chief Economist at the MB Fund and MB Super. He is also a co-founder of MacroBusiness. Leith has previously worked at the Australian Treasury, Victorian Treasury and Goldman Sachs.