Australia ‘may seek to attract well-heeled’

Press, 22 May 1978, Page 1

Australia ‘may seek to attract well-heeled’

NZPA Sydney The Australian Government is considering a plan to attract businessmen migrants — well-heeled newcomers who can bring with them at least sAust2oo,ooo to smooth their entry. According to immigration officials in Sydney, the plan will have a particular attraction for nationals of politicallytroubled nations such as South Africa and Rhodesia. According to the officials, the plan, which is to go before the Federal Cabinet soon, will be part of

proposals to expand Australia’s immigration programme from about 70,000 to 120,000 a year. An immigration official, quoted in the “Sun-Her-aid” newspaper yesterday, reported that some wealthy , people had already been allowed to settle in Australia on condition that they establish businesses. “However, they had come on their own initiative without any encouragement from the Government,” the official said. The rationale for the recruitment of the wealthy migrants, according to the

reports, Is a desire to boost significantly the nation’s balance of payments relatively easily, If approved, said officials, the expanded programme would call for a vigorous recruitment campaign, although the migrants would have to satisfy normal immigration requirements, being in sound health and of good character. “If the number of wealthy migrants could be taken to only 500 a year, this would mean an annual injection of SIOOM to private capital inflow,” said the "Sun-Herald” report.