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IMMIGRATION into Australia is expected to remain steady, at least until next June, no matter which party wins this month's Federal general election, set down for October 9. Federal Parliaments are elected for three year terms in Australia.
The topic has hardly rated a mention during the six-week long election campaign, although refugees and illegal entrants can expect a more sympathetic hearing if the Labor party wins power.
But Mark Latham, leader of the Opposition Labor Party, has said that he would reduce the numbers of overseas doctors entering Australia, especially those on short-term contracts. But most of these GPs either work in outback towns, which otherwise might not have a doctor, or as locums.
And, under pressure from the trades unions, a Federal Labor government may try to reduce the number of skilled migrants entering the country and increase the number of family members allowed in. This was the policy of the previous Labor government.
The current immigration policy allows for a total of 42,000 family members to enter in the 12 months to end-June, next year, against a total of 72,000 skilled workers. There is also a provision for an extra 5,000 skilled workers if there is demand for them from Australia industry. And, currently, most industries are short of skilled tradesmen.
The race between the Liberal-National Party Government and the Labor Opposition for Parliament has been neck and neck throughout the campaign and although most polls usually give the Prime Minister, John Howard a slight lead most commentators consider it too close to decide.
But whichever party wins power the initial; winners will be the voters as both parties have thrown money at them in a bid to win over swinging voters. But the general consensus is that if Labor wins there will be a bigger increase in interest rates and a rise in inflation.
Most of the campaign has featured on the country's health system; Labor taking money away from the richest private schools, and the environment with both parties trying desperately to win over the Green vote, where their preferences could decide many marginal seats. The war in Iraq; national security; falling house prices and Australia's booming economy have been pushed to one side.
Either way, it's been a tough campaign for both sides.