Entrepreneur Dick Smith slams politicians over immigration as former PM John Howard expresses regret

Millionaire entrepreneur Dick Smith has slammed the Turnbull Government for pushing high immigration as two former prime ministers regret allowing unprecedented population growth.

The 74-year-old electronics chain founder from Sydney’s North Shore made the call as former PM John Howard backed his Liberal successor Tony Abbott’s call to cut immigration.

‘I can’t for the life of me see why we can’t have a sensible debate about the level of immigration,’ Mr Howard told The Australian. 

‘I’d like to hear the debate. I really would.’

 

Millionaire entrepreneur Dick Smith has slammed Australia’s most powerful politicians for pushing high immigration as two former PMs regret of allowing unprecedented growth

The 74-year-old electronics chain founder made the call as former PM John Howard backed his Liberal successor Tony Abbott's call to cut immigration (Sydney traffic pictured) 

The 74-year-old electronics chain founder made the call as former PM John Howard backed his Liberal successor Tony Abbott’s call to cut immigration (Sydney traffic pictured) 

However under John Howard’s watch, Australia’s net annual immigration rate climbed above 100,000 for the first time in 2002, taking the permanent arrival rate well above the 20th century average of 70,000.

Under Tony Abbott, Australia’s immigration pace soared to 190,000.

As a backbencher, the Liberal member for Warringah on Sydney’s northern beaches has called for the net immigration rate to be pared back to 110,000.

Dick Smith regretted how incumbent prime minister Malcolm Turnbull and Treasurer Scott Morrison were continuing to justify Australia’s high immigration intake.

Under John Howard, Australia's net annual immigration rate climbed above 100,000 for the first time in 2002, taking the permanent arrival rate well above the 20th century average

Under John Howard, Australia’s net annual immigration rate climbed above 100,000 for the first time in 2002, taking the permanent arrival rate well above the 20th century average

‘Wouldn’t it be great if one of our leaders who’re in power actually said something,’ he told the Today program on Monday.

The self-made businessman said high immigration has worsened income inequality in Australia.

‘The top one per cent wealthiest Australians have the equivalent wealth of the bottom 70 per cent,’ he said.

‘In history, that’s normally when you get a revolution.’ 

The adventurer and philanthropist said Australia’s current annual population growth pace of 1.6 per cent would see the population jump from almost 25 million now to 100 million by the end of the century.

‘That’s not a sensible number. Many of them won’t have a job,’ he said. 

High immigration rates, with an emphasis on skills over family reunion, has contributed to unaffordable housing with Sydney’s median house price now at $1.1 million. 

Dick Smith regretted how incumbent prime minister Malcolm Turnbull and Treasurer Scott Morrison were continuing to justify Australia's high immigration intake

Dick Smith regretted how incumbent prime minister Malcolm Turnbull and Treasurer Scott Morrison were continuing to justify Australia’s high immigration intake

High immigration rates, with an emphasis on skills over family reunion, has contributed to unaffordable housing with Sydney's median house price now at $1.1 million (Sydney auction pictured) 

High immigration rates, with an emphasis on skills over family reunion, has contributed to unaffordable housing with Sydney’s median house price now at $1.1 million (Sydney auction pictured) 



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