Not Quite Australian: How Temporary Migration Is Changing the Nation

by Peter Mares

Permanent migration has long been vital to the story of Australia. From the arrival of early settlers to waves of post-war immigration, the symbolic moment of disembarking onto Australian soil is an image deeply embedded in our nation’s consciousness.

Today, there are more than million temporary migrants living in Australia. They work, pay tax and abide by our laws, yet they remain unrecognised as citizens. All the while, this rise in temporary migration is redefining Australian society, from wage wars and healthcare benefits, to broader ideas of national identity and cultural diversity.

In Not Quite Australian, award-winning journalist Peter Mares draws on case studies, interviews and personal stories to investigate the complex realities of this new era of temporary migration. Mares considers such issues as the expansion of the 457 work visa, the unique experience of New Zealand migrants, the internationalisation of Australia’s education system and our highly politicised asylum-seeker policies to draw conclusions about our nation’s changing landscape.

Not Quite Australian is packed with fresh insight and challenging new ideas for understanding Australia’s growing culture of temporary migration.

Genres: Nonfiction, Australia

352 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2016

Reviews

[Kanishka Iddawela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched book on the Australian Immigration system and where it's heading.

Although the book talks indepth regarding the 457 visa which is no longer in force, the history, lived experience, and complications are still relevant and apply to current temporary migration arrangements.

The lived experiences and testimonies from those constantly living with uncertainty and indefinite temporariness are heartbreaking and painfully relatable. Peter Mares discusses the moral and ethical standpoints governments should consider when tinkering with temporary migration while questioning Australia's liberty and democracy with great care and coherence.

[Andy White · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent in-depth look at Australia's migration policies, including their impact on New Zealanders living here.

[Marina Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent critical analysis of Australia’S contemporary migration landscape. Peter sheds light on the implications of long term temporary migration through capturing the lived experiences of migrants on various types of temporary visas. Through this book, he poses some important and intriguing questions and proposes solutions on the increasingly temporary state of migration. Should there be a limit on how many years an individual can be temporary before they qualify to become permanent? Are skilled points-test systems, or family/employer sponsorship schemes the only effective ways of measuring eligibility to migrate permanently? Temporary migrants include full-fee paying students, tax-paying employees, business owners and humanitarian support seekers. Often they are excluded from any state benefits such as subsidised medical care, free schooling for their children or voting rights. Is such an exclusion fair considering the increasing amounts of temporary migrants now residing in Australia?

[Lesya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an insightful summary of the current immigration situation in Australia, latest migration policies and the impact they had on people who became "permanently temporary" residents. It is very well researched and has both the aggregate data as well as individual stories that show the significant adverse consequences on people. Academic articles often focus on data, journalist investigations - on personal stories. This book has both which is key in social policy: it's evidence-based but not "dehumanising".
I am impressed that someone who has not personally experienced the struggles of the migration policy changes, application for residency, etc. managed to articulate the variety of issues so many of us faced.

[Marina Khan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good critical analysis of the Australian temporary migration regime in the recent years. A group that wasn't included very much in the discussion was that of overstayers. However, data on that group is perhaps hard to generate and share. The chapters were well structured and the book provides some excellent references for those interested in the migration industry. In the last chapter, the author proposes great recommendations for Australia's growing Migration sector, but, with a hint of skepticism about them being actually implemented. Overall, a solid read, especially since I am conducting research within the field. It will be equally insightful to anyone who is interested in this area or in broader global migration, the political-institution, the politics of migration, transnationalism, mobility and border studies.

[Benjamin Farr · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoroughly well-researched, comprehensive overview of Australia's immigration system. Well worth a read.

[Monique · Rating 3 out of 5]

What Mares has to say seems incredibly important and has changed the way that I think and talk about migrant communities in Australia. I was surprised (and embarrassed) at how little I knew about the policy around temporary migration in Australia over the last 20 years.

Something I found particularly annoying about this book, however, was its inability to deal with the concept of Aboriginal sovereignty!!! How Mares avoided talking about colonization and land rights is still a mystery to me! It got especially awkward towards the end when he directly engages in a discussion about nationalism, borders and self-determination... still nothing! Because of this I have to give it 3 stars.