Many disagree. The issue of illegal immigration is tied inextricably to that of regulated immigration, population sustainability and multiculturalism policy. Far from being a waste of time, I believe this is possibly Australia's biggest challenge in decades to come.
How big a population do we need? How should that be achieved, by encouraging higher fertility rates or by immigration or a mix? Should our immigration policy be governed by principles like ability to integrate and assimilate? What kind of society do people want in 30,40 or 50 years?
These are all issues on which middle Australia has a vested interest, yet on which they have been largely excluded from input into public debate. It is time for the major parties not to huddle together and reach a policy between themselves as you suggest; but a time for a far-reaching public debate on our population goals and the makeup of our society - homogeneous or otherwise. I believe many Aussies would like their say.
