India has for the first time emerged as the largest source of permanent migrants in Australia.
Indian migrants comprised a total of 29,018 places or 15.7 per cent of the total migration programme of 185,000 places under the 2011-12 permanent migration program of Australia.
Permanent migrants from China and the UK were next, with 25,509 and 25,274 places, respectively, a release from the Australian High Commission said.
Commenting on the figures, the Australian Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Mr Chris Bowen , said that “the Indian community has made a valuable contribution to economic, social and cultural life in Australia, and I know this will continue with more Indians choosing to make their home here.” Seven of the top 10 source countries in Australia’s 2011-12 migration programme are from Asia.
somasekhar.m
@thehindu.co.in