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CIAO DATE: 11/05
Diaspora: the World Wide Web of Australians
Chloë Flutter and Michael Fullilove
November 2004
Abstract
On any given day, there are approximately one million Australians outside Australia, perhaps three-quarters of whom live offshore on a permanent or long term basis. This latter group, the 'Australian diaspora', is large and, in the main, prosperous, well educated, well connected, and well disposed to this country. It is also very mobile: rather than turning their backs on Australia once and for all, expatriates these days are more likely to move back and forward between Australia and other countries as opportunities present.
Two groups within the diaspora are of particular value to this country: those at the pinnacle of their careers in significant international positions, and the class of highly skilled professionals, or so-called 'gold collar workers', sitting just beneath them. Our view is that Australian institutions should reach out to these and other expatriates and capitalise on their talent and goodwill to further the national interest. The Australian diaspora should be seen as our 'world wide web' of ideas and influence.
