South Australia Seeks More UK Immigrants

South Australia, four times the size of Britain but with an ageing population of just 1.5 million, is to launch an aggressive advertising campaign aimed at attracting a new generation of British immigrants. With slogans directly attacking life in the UK, such as “Sod London house prices” and “Screw working in Staines, hello Adelaide“ creators of the South Australian government advertisements are aware some people may be offended.

Bill Muirhead, an Adelaide-born founder partner in the M & C Saatchi advertising firm who has been appointed agent-general of South Australia, said he was aware the campaign might create a few enemies. “It might appear we are being rude, but a lot of things in Britain aren’t good,” he told The Times.

“We went for Staines because it sounds nasty … I don’t suppose the mayor of Staines is going to be too happy, but it could easily have been Slough or Croydon.”

The ad campaign promises young people can buy a four-bedroom detached house on the beach with room for a swimming pool and “barbie” for just £200,000.

In 2006 more than 200,000 Britons left the country to live abroad, and South Australia wants to attract another 5,000 a year.

Professionals such as chefs, butchers, physiotherapists, dentists and dermatologists will be targeted. There is no upper age limit, but a points based system will in effect bar anyone over 45.