SERIES

IQ2 Debate

DATE & TIME

26 MARCH 2019

6:30 – 8pm

LOCATION

SYDNEY TOWN HALL
483 George St
Sydney NSW 2000

Can the current rate of immigration be sustained?

When Germany opened its borders to refugees during the Syrian war, Angela Merkel was saluted by progressives for her humane policy. “We can do this,” she declared. But her decision had unintended effects. The European migrant crisis ensued.

Thousands drowned crossing the Mediterranean, including three year old Alan Kurdi whose body was found washed ashore. Poor countries with populations as small as two million were overwhelmed – not for lack of sympathy but rather inadequate resources to handle the sheer weight of numbers moving through in search of a safer, better life in northern Europe.

In response, dark forces were mobilised, their aim being to convert compassion into distrust for their own political ends. Nationalist leaders were voted in across Europe. Britain continues to struggle with Brexit.

While those forces have had significant successes in Europe, the same is not so here. Australians overwhelmingly support immigration and reject monolithic values. 82 percent of us agree “immigrants improve Australian society by bringing new ideas and cultures”. Another 80 percent feel immigrants are good for the economy. Big business and economists argue economic growth will stall to everyone’s detriment if immigration levels are cut.

But just as many Australians who support immigration are concerned about its practical effects at a time of growing uncertainty. People worry about the impact of unfettered population growth on our cities, housing prices, public transport, hospitals and schools.

Regional Australia is feeling the pressure too. We need only look to the mass fish deaths in Darling River to see growing numbers are taking a toll on the fragile natural environment of our island home. As an Australian National University study says, “As the world’s driest inhabited continent with unique flora and fauna, Australia’s environment may not be able to cope with rapid population growth”.

The result is that Australians are ‘pro-immigrant’ yet ‘anti-immigration’.

This leads us to ask, should immigration be boosted, maintained or curbed?

On Tuesday 26 March we took the debate out of the mainstream media and onto the IQ2 stage at Sydney Town Hall with four experts invited to take on the motion “Should Australia curb immigration?” in front of a live, active audience.

 

 

With powerful arguments presented at both ends of the spectrum, it was a debate that raised issues from urban planning to government policy, environmental impacts to economic advantages and more.

With thanks to our IQ2 media partner

Photo gallery

Did you come along to the debate? Check out our gallery for all the action on the night. Spot yourself, or a friend in the crowd.

Speakers

Jonathan Sobels

Jonathan Sobels

Dr Jonathan Sobels is an environmental scientist. He was commissioned by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to research the impacts of population growth on Australia’s natural environment. Jonathan concluded core resources like water cannot sustain high immigration so too much growth is irresponsible. You can follow him on LinkedIn here.

ARGUING FOR

Satyajeet-Marar

Satyajeet Marar

Satyajeet Marar is a writer who contributes to publications like the Daily TelegraphHerald SunQuillette, and The Spectator. The Indian-born immigrant is the director of policy at the Australian Taxpayers’ Alliance. Satyajeet supports multiculturalism and argues harmony is maintained when there are limits to immigration. You can follow him on Twitter via @MisterJEET

ARGUING FOR

Dr Anne Aly

Anne Aly

Dr Anne Aly was a Professor at Edith Cowan University.  Anne is an internationally renowned expert in counter-terrorism and de-radicalisation. She is now serving as the Member for Cowan for the Australian Labor Party in Western Australia. You can follow her on Instagram via @Anne.Aly

ARGUING AGAINST

Prof Nicole Gurran

Nicole Gurran

Prof Nicole Gurran is an urban planner and housing policy expert based at the University of Sydney’s School of Architecture, Design and Planning. She presented her solutions to population growth and Australia’s housing crisis at TEDxSydney. Nicole says smarter spatial planning can accommodate high immigration levels. You can follow her on Twitter via @Planosopher

ARGUING AGAINST

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Who is it for?


  • THE ACTIVIST
  • THE IDEALIST
  • THE PRAGMATIST
  • THE SKEPTIC
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What you'll take away


  • 01A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHERE YOUR BOUNDARIES LIE
  • 02CHALLENGING AND THOUGHT-PROVOKING IDEAS
  • 03KEY FACTS AND TALKING POINTS OF THE MAJOR ISSUES
  • 04NEW PERSPECTIVES FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE DEBATE