India knows it and so does the global tech industry – Australia has turned its back on the biggest potential area of collaboration and trade growth with India, the technology industry. The restrictions Australia has imposed on skilled migration (changes to the living-away-from-home allowance and 457 visas) have put a massive constraint on the growth of technology.
As Atlassian co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes said yesterday: “We said to the global tech industry we are fundamentally closed for business. The lack of access to global talent is the single biggest factor constraining the growth of the tech industry in Australia.” Mike helped take Atlassian to become a billion dollar tech company and Australia’s biggest – he knows what he is talking about.
He pointed out to a Senate hearing that when overseas IT talent comes here, it actually creates jobs for Australians as local companies hire locals to support this imported talent.
Instead of blocking Indian skilled workers, Australia should seek out a special relationship with India in the technology sector. It would be in the best interests of both countries.
Australia has turned its back on technology growth and is hurting itself in the process.