20221018 AI Australia_s-immigration question Main

As the race for talent heats up around the world, some experts argue the Albanese government will struggle to attract immigrants back to a country dubbed "Fortress Australia" throughout the pandemic for its hardline response to prevent the virus from hitting its shores. © Illustration by Hiroko Oshima

'Fortress Australia' seeks to become immigration nation again

COVID-induced labor shortages push Albanese to raise cap on migrants

MITCH RYAN, Contributing writer

October 18, 2022 06:00 JST

MELBOURNE, Australia -- The proliferation of "For Lease" signs and empty office spaces in Melbourne are just some of the scars from the world's longest COVID lockdown in Australia's second largest city.

The capital of the state of Victoria still needs a helping hand, even as the pandemic subsides around the world. A statewide rebate scheme was reintroduced last month to support Victoria's COVID-ravaged entertainment, hospitality and tourism sectors.