Part 2/7:
The session opened with a focus on startling new immigration statistics for 2025, which show a significant surge in net overseas migration, estimated at around 447,620 individuals. This rebound comes despite government promises to curb such numbers, reflecting a disconnect between policy targets and actual migration trends.
Participants pointed out that such influxes can exert considerable pressure on local labor markets, leading to wage suppression in certain sectors and intensifying existing housing shortages. The strain isn't limited to real estate but extends to essential public services such as schools and universities, which struggle to accommodate growing populations.