Connected Voices

What happens when Australia’s migration debate collides with the reality of disability care, aged care, and regional workforce shortages?

Director of The Cairns Institute Stewart Lockie says the answer is bigger than politics - and ignoring it could leave families, services, and rural communities under serious strain.

He explains why the headlines about migration and housing miss the deeper issue: Australia’s labour market is already tight, care work has exploded, and huge parts of the sector rely on overseas workers. If migration is cut without a long-term plan, the fallout won’t just hit cities - it will be felt in the NDIS, in aged care, and in the everyday support people with disability depend on.

Raven and Stuart break down:

• Why blaming migration for housing pressures is a misleading oversimplification
• How disability care and aged care have grown by 110% in a decade
• Why 40% of nurses and a huge share of care workers come from overseas
• What happens when low unemployment meets rising demand for essential care
• Why regional Australia is especially vulnerable to workforce shortages and population loss

Whether you're keen to learn more about the debate on migration, what's in store next for The Cairns Institute, or why Stewart never takes his health for granted, we encourage you to give episode no. 3 a listen!

Podcast host Raven Cook describes his recent flight to Adelaide and subsequent experience navigating accessible public transport in another city. He recommends everyone with lived experience of disability should leave their home city at least once if they have the opportunity, to experience accessibility from other places.

Connected Voices is a podcast hosted by Cannes local Raven Cook, focusing on real stories, real conversations, and real connections. The podcast explores life, disability, health, community, and the importance of connection across Far North Queensland and beyond.

Takeaways

• Real people, connection

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Connected Voices
• 00:02 Exploring Life and Disability