Migrants are sending billions overseas. What does it mean for Australia's economy?

Some anti-immigration activists argue remittances drain money from the Australian economy, while others say that view ignores migrants' economic contribution and the support these payments provide to families overseas. So what's the real impact — both for the economy and for migrants and their families? Mrinaal Datt, who moved to Australia from India four years ago and is the founder of Indian Women Abroad, regularly sends money back to India — often a few hundred dollars at a time. She told SBS Examines that the remittances went towards her partner's parents' medical expenses. "In Indian and a lot of South Asian cultures in general, they have a saying that you don't just marry a person, you marry the whole family," she said. "It's not just you and your partner. It's your siblings, your parents, their parents. You can't think of not supporting your family.