<div $$hash="7437-0"><p $$hash="7433-0">Kevin Rudd, of the Labor Party, has praised migration to Australia as having helped to build Australia’s economy.
<p $$hash="7439-0">Speaking at a conference on infrastructure, he talked about how part of the reason why Australia has become the 12th strongest economy in the world is because of immigrants coming to live and work in the country.
<p $$hash="7441-0">Recently, the issue of regulations on immigration has seen a lot of discussion recently with rules being changed on the 457 visas.
<p $$hash="7443-0">The 457 visa allows for temporary migrant workers to move to Australia if they have skills that businesses are facing a shortage of.
<p $$hash="7445-0">Under this visa, people are able to move to Australia with their families for up to four years but could also gain a permanent residency.
<p $$hash="7447-0">Current Prime Minister Julia Gillard has exercised a tougher line on immigrant workers, which has seen the approvals of 457 visas fall.
<p $$hash="7449-0">This has been met with criticism from businesses and politicians alike.
<p $$hash="7451-0">Posted by Ravin Chatlani
