Important Updates
Important Updates
May 22, 2025 | United KingdomConstruction Management: Immigration White Paper: What it Means for UK Construction
May 23, 2025 | United StatesAmerican Bar Association's How Things Work: The Legal Edition: F-1 Student Visa Revocations
May 23, 2025 | Ireland, United Kingdom, BelgiumClassical Music: The Immigration Hurdles Facing UK Orchestras in Europe
May 23, 2025 | United States, FranceFragomen Recognized at FACC Midwest Chicago Business Awards
May 23, 2025 | United KingdomNorthern Engineer: The UK Immigration White Paper – What it Means for the Engineering Sector in the North of England
May 22, 2025 | United KingdomConstruction Management: Immigration White Paper: What it Means for UK Construction
May 23, 2025 | United StatesAmerican Bar Association's How Things Work: The Legal Edition: F-1 Student Visa Revocations
May 23, 2025 | Ireland, United Kingdom, BelgiumClassical Music: The Immigration Hurdles Facing UK Orchestras in Europe
May 23, 2025 | United States, FranceFragomen Recognized at FACC Midwest Chicago Business Awards
May 23, 2025 | United KingdomNorthern Engineer: The UK Immigration White Paper – What it Means for the Engineering Sector in the North of England
May 22, 2025 | United KingdomConstruction Management: Immigration White Paper: What it Means for UK Construction
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcastsVideos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapFragomen Consulting EuropeAustralian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Fragomen Consulting Europe
  • Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
  • Insights

CEDA State of the Nation: Recovering Confidence in Economic Growth in Australian Communities-Part I

June 29, 2018

Country / Territory

  • AustraliaAustralia

Related offices

  • Brisbane
  • Melbourne
  • Perth
  • Sydney

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • Brisbane
  • Melbourne
  • Perth
  • Sydney

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • Brisbane
  • Melbourne
  • Perth
  • Sydney

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

On 25 and 26 June 2018, the Committee for Economic Development of Australia (CEDA) held its State of  the  Nation conference in Canberra. Consistent with CEDA’s agenda for driving topical policy discussion, this year’s conference theme was ‘building economic and social resilience’. CEDA’s research shows that there is a ‘disconnect’ between Australia’s economic performance and individual perceptions of prosperity. A forthcoming boom in infrastructure may help to turn those attitudes around. However, examples from regional areas of Australia provide a model for how business success, community development and migration can all combine to enhance the lives of everyone in the community.

Fragomen is proud of its close engagement with CEDA as a national Trustee member, and of the quality of policy research it conducts as well as the energized and robust discussions it generates. For over 35 years, it has been a key thought leader in many areas of policy, including its seminal collection of papers on immigration, Migration: The Economic Debate, published in late 2016.

 In Part 1 of this two-part blog post, I look at key takeaways from the CEDA conference. In Part 2, I will discuss how migration can help business success and overall community development.

The economic disconnect and attitudes to growth and development in Australia

Federal Treasurer The Hon. Scott Morrison MP delivered the welcoming keynote address to CEDA’s flagship annual conference. Fresh from shepherding a package of tax reform through parliament the previous week, the Treasurer’s speech focused on Australia’s prolonged period of economic growth. The Treasurer cited Thomson Reuters figures to demonstrate that, at 3%, Australia’s current rate of GDP growth is higher than the fast-recovering USA, as well as the OECD average.

However, it seems this messaging may not be getting through to all Australians. At the conference, CEDA launched its latest Community Pulse report, presenting the results of its survey into community perceptions of the benefits of this sustained economic development. Respondents overwhelmingly identified corporations and shareholders, but not themselves, as having benefitted from the quarter-century of growth. As per the report, only ’five percent of people believe they are have gained a lot’, while ’74 percent of people believe large corporations have gained a lot’.

The results demonstrate that despite Australia’s economy doubling in size over the last 26 years without recession, there is a ‘disconnect’ between macroeconomic growth and individual experiences of personal financial well-being. This may partly be due to how any current economic upturn seems to be flowing to job creation and a reduction in unemployment: for the majority of people who are already in work, wage growth remains flat and underemployment remains a problem.  There is hope, however, with CEDA’s 2018 Economic and Political Overview indicating that the Australian economy is again showing signs of buoyancy following the wake of the mining boom, and that prevailing global trends are also turning back to Australia’s favour.

The survey results also suggest a drift away from community participation in economic debate. The Hawke, Keating and Howard governments were able to undertake wholesale structural changes to the Australian economy as a result of sustained engagement with the Australian community in a national dialogue about the need for macroeconomic reform. Today, many respondents to the CEDA survey seem to disassociate themselves from corporate financial success, even when macroeconomic structures mean that they are very likely shareholders in corporate profits through their superannuation fund.

This disengagement is important because it weakens the cognitive link between corporate success and personal prosperity. People tend not to appreciate the benefits of enhanced international trade, business profits and innovation if there is no discernable improvement in their financial means. In turn, this places undue political pressure on visa programs designed to meet skills shortages and facilitate global mobility, due to a conceptualisation of the economy, the labour market, and infrastructure capacity as zero-sum propositions.

Infrastructure: Key to Changing Australian Community Attitudes Towards Economic Development  

The panacea for this cynicism may just come from the scale and number of planned infrastructure projects. At State of the Nation, the outgoing head of Infrastructure Australia, Philip Davies, spoke of the long-term pipeline of projects aimed at easing infrastructure pressures and remodeling Australia’s cities away from a 20th century layout primed for manufacturing output, towards the clustering of activity hubs in a 21st century knowledge economy. As the Leader of the Opposition The Hon Bill Shorten MP pointed out in his keynote address, infrastructure projects engage members of the Australian community in multiple ways. Infrastructure projects and their long supply chains are, of course, significant sources of employment. The scale of planned infrastructure activity is such that it should also be a key driver of wages growth and reskilling of Australians across the economy in the medium term. Infrastructure (both physical such as new train lines; and social such as the National Broadband Network and increasingly interconnected health services) also improves quality of life for all in the Australian community.

CEDA’s research shows that members of the Australian community are struggling to see the correlation between macroeconomic performance and their personal financial circumstances. This creates an imperative for both government and business to get better at demonstrating the benefits of international trade, business profitability, innovation, and the visa programs that support these ends. 

Learn more about Simon Haag and our Australia practice. 

Country / Territory

  • AustraliaAustralia

Related offices

  • Brisbane
  • Melbourne
  • Perth
  • Sydney

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • Brisbane
  • Melbourne
  • Perth
  • Sydney

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • Brisbane
  • Melbourne
  • Perth
  • Sydney

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

American Bar Association's How Things Work: The Legal Edition: F-1 Student Visa Revocations

Partners Michelle Jacobson and Sarah Peterson discuss recent SEVIS terminations and visa revocations and explore what these developments may mean for international students and universities.

Learn more

Media mentions

Classical Music: The Immigration Hurdles Facing UK Orchestras in Europe

Senior Immigration Programme Manager Louise Collins, Senior Manager Sean Rhodes and Manager Andreia Ghimis explore the touring challenges UK orchestras face in Europe and discuss ways to ease mobility barriers.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Recognized at FACC Midwest Chicago Business Awards

Fragomen was recognized at the FACC Midwest Chicago Business Awards for "Best Business Development: US Company Expanding in France."

Learn more

Media mentions

Northern Engineer: The UK Immigration White Paper – What it Means for the Engineering Sector in the North of England

Practice Leader Kathleen O'Donnell, Manager Kirsty Moore and Immigration Paralegal Sean Pearce outline how the latest UK immigration white paper could affect engineering recruitment for employers in the North of England.

Learn more

Video

Passports & Pitch Side: Footballers on the Move ⚽ Ep. 8 (Part 2) | #FragomenFC

#FragomenFC co-hosts Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Manager Sergio Flores and Associate Jake Paul Minster are joined by Senior Associate Tuğba Özyakup—and an avid football fan—and Ismaïl Aissati—former professional footballer.

Learn more

Blog post

The UK’s Net Migration Drop Demands a Considered but Speedy Response

UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit discusses the UK's recent drop in net migration and emphasises the need for a considered yet swift response to address the economic and social impacts.

Learn more

Media mentions

Construction Management: Immigration White Paper: What it Means for UK Construction

Manager Kirsty Moore and Trainee Solicitor Christina Azntaridou discuss the UK government's immigration white paper's potential impact on construction hiring.

Learn more

Media mentions

LBC: Youth Mobility is a Good Start - But Britain’s Immigration System Still Needs a Business Reset

UK Managing Partner Nadine Goldfoot reflects on how the UK’s immigration system might adapt to better support business and short-term mobility.

Learn more

Awards

Negocios Now Names Associate Ana Gabriela Urizar to NYC-TriState Latinos 40 Under 40 Class of 2025

Negocios Now names Associate Ana Gabriela Urizar to its NYC-TriState Latinos 40 Under 40 Class of 2025 list.

Learn more

Video

Digital Nomad Visas Explained: How to Travel and Work Remotely

Learn the key requirements for digital nomad visas and find out which countries you can apply to as a remote worker or freelancer. 

Learn more

Media mentions

Financial Times Adviser: Relocating to the UK: An Immigration Lawyer’s Guide for US clients

Practice Leader Olga Nechita provides practical guidance on navigating UK immigration routes, settlement options and key considerations for applicants.

Learn more

Video

New DOLE Rules for Employing Foreign Nationals | #MobilityMinute

Senior Business Immigration Consultant Missy Mae Makil discusses the new DOLE rules for employing foreign nationals in the Philippines.

Learn more

Media mentions

American Bar Association's How Things Work: The Legal Edition: F-1 Student Visa Revocations

Partners Michelle Jacobson and Sarah Peterson discuss recent SEVIS terminations and visa revocations and explore what these developments may mean for international students and universities.

Learn more

Media mentions

Classical Music: The Immigration Hurdles Facing UK Orchestras in Europe

Senior Immigration Programme Manager Louise Collins, Senior Manager Sean Rhodes and Manager Andreia Ghimis explore the touring challenges UK orchestras face in Europe and discuss ways to ease mobility barriers.

Learn more

Awards

Fragomen Recognized at FACC Midwest Chicago Business Awards

Fragomen was recognized at the FACC Midwest Chicago Business Awards for "Best Business Development: US Company Expanding in France."

Learn more

Media mentions

Northern Engineer: The UK Immigration White Paper – What it Means for the Engineering Sector in the North of England

Practice Leader Kathleen O'Donnell, Manager Kirsty Moore and Immigration Paralegal Sean Pearce outline how the latest UK immigration white paper could affect engineering recruitment for employers in the North of England.

Learn more

Video

Passports & Pitch Side: Footballers on the Move ⚽ Ep. 8 (Part 2) | #FragomenFC

#FragomenFC co-hosts Partner Rick Lamanna, Senior Manager Sergio Flores and Associate Jake Paul Minster are joined by Senior Associate Tuğba Özyakup—and an avid football fan—and Ismaïl Aissati—former professional footballer.

Learn more

Blog post

The UK’s Net Migration Drop Demands a Considered but Speedy Response

UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit discusses the UK's recent drop in net migration and emphasises the need for a considered yet swift response to address the economic and social impacts.

Learn more

Media mentions

Construction Management: Immigration White Paper: What it Means for UK Construction

Manager Kirsty Moore and Trainee Solicitor Christina Azntaridou discuss the UK government's immigration white paper's potential impact on construction hiring.

Learn more

Media mentions

LBC: Youth Mobility is a Good Start - But Britain’s Immigration System Still Needs a Business Reset

UK Managing Partner Nadine Goldfoot reflects on how the UK’s immigration system might adapt to better support business and short-term mobility.

Learn more

Awards

Negocios Now Names Associate Ana Gabriela Urizar to NYC-TriState Latinos 40 Under 40 Class of 2025

Negocios Now names Associate Ana Gabriela Urizar to its NYC-TriState Latinos 40 Under 40 Class of 2025 list.

Learn more

Video

Digital Nomad Visas Explained: How to Travel and Work Remotely

Learn the key requirements for digital nomad visas and find out which countries you can apply to as a remote worker or freelancer. 

Learn more

Media mentions

Financial Times Adviser: Relocating to the UK: An Immigration Lawyer’s Guide for US clients

Practice Leader Olga Nechita provides practical guidance on navigating UK immigration routes, settlement options and key considerations for applicants.

Learn more

Video

New DOLE Rules for Employing Foreign Nationals | #MobilityMinute

Senior Business Immigration Consultant Missy Mae Makil discusses the new DOLE rules for employing foreign nationals in the Philippines.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.