Skill shortages are "like hospital waiting lists: they are going to come up and bite the government on the bum", according to Heather Ridout, chief executive of the Australian Industry Group.

Ms Ridout told the Skills Australia conference on Monday that crippling skill shortages coupled with over-skilling would prove to be the two most compelling issues facing workforce productivity in the years ahead.

And policy on both sides of government, which seemed intent on limiting skilled migration, would serve to magnify shortages, driving a two-speed economy, along with higher inflation and interest rates.

http://www.theaustralian.com.a...frgcjx-1225915582016