What contributions did migrants make to the development of Australia?
...veloped strongly in the 1950s with major nation-building projects such as the Snowy Mountains Scheme, a hydro-electric power scheme located in Australia’s southern alps. Like all Australian’s, migrants paid taxes to the government and overall, migrants have contributed more in taxes than they have consumed in benefits and goods and services. As a result migrants have generated surpluses for government and contributed to the welfare of the Australian society. Australia is a multicultural country and is one of the world’s most culturally diverse countries. Between us we speak over 200 languages – including 45 Indigenous languages. Migration has built on the diversity that already existed in this country’s Indigenous population to deliver the reality of our modern, multicultural community. Over that period of time, the way we view migrants has changed. Where 30 years ago we sought simply to acknowledge and accommodate recent migrants, we now, rightly, emphasise the benefits that we can derive from the full spectrum of our diverse people. It must be said, therefore, that we have embraced multiculturalism and, as a result, the diversity of our population has delivered us benefits in creating a vital and thriving community and economy. In Australia, multiculturalism has evolved into a process of respect for the contribution each person brings to Australia whatever their cultural background. Many newcomers were escaping the privations of war-torn Europe and were eager to start a new life in a new land. They brought with them new ideas, new customs and new cuisines, changing the foundation of Australian society. Architecture, dress, food, celebrations, art, music and much more were affected by migrants from a variety of cultures. The Snowy Mountain Scheme was established in 1949 as there was a serious national shortage of skilled personnel, equipment and construction materials as a legacy of World War II. The Snowy began an intensive recruitment campaign overseas, concentrating in Europe. The Scheme also absorbed many of the migrants who were arriving in Australia in response to the Commonwealth Government's Immigration Scheme in the post-war years. Overall, 100,000 people worked on the Scheme's construction b...