The Best Places to Visit in Australia in 2023
The big change is the re-imposition of work restrictions on overseas students. This was a key factor that drove offshore student visa applications to extraordinary levels.
Dr. Kippen explains the high migration forecasts this year and next are due to catch-up from when borders were closed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Meanjin is blooming
The literary journal Meanjin has been a key player in Australia’s cultural life for almost a century. Founded in Brisbane in 1940 to promote Queensland writers by Clem Christesen, it moved to Melbourne in 1945 and is now an imprint of Melbourne University Publishing, funded largely through subscriptions and sales. As the name suggests, it is a journal of ideas that reiterates and reframes the work of Australian writers. It is a space for articulating the nation’s intellectual culture at its most fierce and expansive, but it can also be a forum where cultural politics plays out.
In 2023 Meanjin will have a chance to do both in the lead-up to the summer Olympic Games, and the potential for mass migration is huge. The population is growing faster than ever, and the influx of new people will create massive demand for housing, health services, schools, and transport infrastructure. The newcomers will have the highest standard of living in the world, which means they will need to be paid enough to keep the economy running smoothly.
It is not just the economic benefits that make migration such a major issue for Queensland and Australia, though. The social implications of the movement are also immense.
There are already concerns that the state’s cultural identity is being erased by the rapid influx of migrants from Asia. This is especially evident in the cultural centers and shopping malls of the inner city, which feature a mix of traditional Australian and international brands.
The local government is taking steps to mitigate these issues. In May, it announced a program to support the development of a range of cultural spaces in the city center. It also promised to improve the quality of public transport and build more bicycle lanes.
However, it is unclear whether these plans will be enough to quell the rising anger among local residents. The most recent poll indicated that the majority of respondents were against changing the city’s name. Nevertheless, it is possible that the government will change its position in the run-up to the Olympics.
The River City is revitalized
With a new theme tune, a revamped logo, and a raft of cast changes, “River City” is regaining momentum. Featuring the return of Lewis Cope (Duncan Duff) as his scheming, self-serving best, the Glasgow-based soap is beginning to find its feet after a rocky start. Unlike its British counterpart, “Eastenders”, it’s now seen as an upscale, adult show with plenty of drama and sexual tension.
The show also highlights the importance of the city’s riverside, which has been buried under concrete for decades. The City is planning to restore the waterway, burying a section of the highway and building a park on top. The city has partnered with the Van Alen Institute to study the potential of this innovative urban project.
This will help to develop an understanding of what we are calling “transformational resilience” thinking. This is a new perspective on resilience, acknowledging the need for climate adaptation but also looking at the wider social and cultural dimensions of disruption and recovery. Each case study in the RCN will contribute to this developing field through research, activism, and pedagogy.
Until recently, it seemed that many wealthy countries had turned decisively against mass migration. After the Brexit vote and Donald Trump’s election, anti-immigrant sentiment soared. But this has slowed. In fact, the number of people moving across borders is at a near standstill, although the numbers going back to their countries of origin are increasing significantly.
Despite this, the rich world’s economies are growing rapidly and many of them need people to work in their services industries. This has helped to bring the debate back on track. Several governments are trying to attract migrants, with Britain allowing more students to stay and increasing the time they can work in the country from two to four years. Australia is opening its doors to immigrants, while Germany and India are easing restrictions on visas. Even those countries hitherto hostile to immigration, such as Japan and South Korea, are now looking at ways to encourage more outsiders to move there. Many are doing so to counter the aging effects of their own populations.
The Scenic Rim is on the up
Just an hour’s drive south of Brisbane is the region’s thriving rural paradise, a place where you can get back to nature and enjoy the freshest food. Here, you’ll find lush rainforests and spectacular mountain ranges framed by fertile farmland and charming country towns. It’s a year-round destination brimming with outdoor adventure, gourmet getaways, and cultural pursuits.
Just like in Meanjin, the Scenic Rim’s newfound respect for its subtropical location has resulted in the region embracing its green roots. Lush plantings are popping up everywhere, from street corners to rooftops and green walls. New dining precincts abound along the broad Brisbane River, while Howard Smith Wharves has been revamped to offer a new maritime experience.
But the most important change is a shift in attitudes towards migration. Not so long ago, the world seemed to turn decisively against mass migration. From Brexit to Donald Trump, the rhetoric was anti-immigrant. But the tide has turned, and 2023 sees wealthy countries open their borders to welcome migrants again.
This reversal in attitude is especially evident here in Australia, where net migration has soared to an expected 400,000 people this fiscal year. It’s a huge increase on previous estimates and will put pressure on an already overburdened housing market.
In response, the government has promised to boost support for migrants by opening up public service positions, increasing visa processing times, and introducing more student grants. It’s also implementing new measures to help renters buy their first home, including a stamp of approval for foreign buyers.
As a result, the quality of Queensland’s visitor accommodation is set to level up. This includes a slew of new five-star hotels. Expect to see the likes of The Ritz Carlton, St Regis, and Rosewood in Surfers Paradise as well as the Westin, Mondrian, and Calile Noosa arriving soon.
For those with a real appetite for the Scenic Rim’s gourmet offerings, Eat Local Month runs from June 1–30. The festival showcases the region’s artisan producers with foodie events from gin blending workshops to farm tours and floral tea picking. You can also savor the region’s produce at farm-gate markets, dine in Michelin-starred restaurants and take part in the famous tractor pull.
The Sunshine Coast is on the up
The Sunshine Coast is full of rugged coastlines, beaches, lakes, trails, and parks to explore – a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. Located on the southernmost coast of British Columbia, it is a year-round destination where sunny days outnumber cloudy ones. With an annual total of between 1,400 and 2,400 hours of sunshine, there’s no wonder the area lives up to its name.
The region is a popular spot for visitors looking to escape the hustle and bustle of urban life, with the tranquility of its natural environment offset by its vibrant cultural scene. There’s also a strong culinary offering. Chefs from around the world are attracted to the region for its abundant, high-quality produce and renowned seafood.
While the Sunshine Coast has plenty to offer, it’s also home to some of the most affordable properties in Australia. This makes the area an ideal location for young families or singles and couples seeking an affordable lifestyle.
The growth of the Sunshine Coast has sparked interest from interstate migrants, with more than 8,000 people expected to move to the state over the next five years. This is a significant boost to the local economy, with a big injection of money from new residents bringing fresh ideas and energy to the community.
It’s not just the Sunshine Coast that’s booming, as the entire country is experiencing record levels of migration. Net migration (immigrants minus emigrants) is now double what it was before the covid-19 pandemic, and it’s on track to reach its highest level ever this year.
Australia’s population is aging rapidly, so the current rate of migration is necessary to prevent the workforce shortages that have plagued other developed countries. Furthermore, it is essential to the country’s economic growth, as the increased number of workers will drive up productivity and output.
The surge in migration is not without its challenges, though. The high influx of people has put pressure on the housing market, which has seen rising rents and home prices in many areas. However, there are measures in place to help address these issues.