Migrants pour in to 'the lucky country'

Australia has attracted the largest number of migrants and refugees in a decade.

Figures released by Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone yesterday showed more than 111,000 people settled in Australia in 2003-04 - almost 20,000 more than the previous year.

"This means that in the past 10 years arrivals have increased by 60 per cent, with well over 200 countries represented," Vanstone said.

The bulk of the migrants came from Britain, with 18,000 making the move in the past year.

Other main contributors were New Zealand, China, India, South Africa, Sudan and the Philippines.