AustraliaCoalition to Cut Migration
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor will announce a plan to reduce net overseas migration to 100,000 in the first year of government. The move is seen as an attempt to rival One Nation's stance on migration.
Global Newsflix 2 min read
The Coalition is expected to announce a significant reduction in net overseas migration to 100,000 in its first year of government. This move is part of the party's effort to fend off One Nation's rise.
Angus Taylor will reveal the Coalition's immigration policy, which includes sweeping cuts to targets. The party claims that the reduction will not hurt Australia's economy.
The opposition's target will be below Labor's but won't match One Nation's goal to limit net arrivals to 130,000. The Coalition's plan will prioritize skills and maintain working holidaymaker places.
Taylor pushed MPs to seek updated advice from the parliamentary budget office to drive migration down as low as possible without damaging the economy. The final advice shows that the Coalition's proposals would be budget-neutral over the four-year budget period.
The opposition will claim that a reworking of the skills program to bring in more sought-after workers would offset lower tax revenue prompted by the reduction in workforce numbers.
The Coalition's plan will also curtail visa-hopping by forcing candidates such as international students to go offshore if they want to apply for another visa.
The move is seen as an attempt by the Coalition to neutralize the issue of migration, which has sparked cultural debates in peer democracies and has turned into a central political issue in Canberra.
Key facts
- The Coalition will reduce net overseas migration to 100,000 in its first year of government.
- The opposition's target will be below Labor's but won't match One Nation's goal.
- The Coalition's plan will prioritize skills and maintain working holidaymaker places.
- The party claims that the reduction will not hurt Australia's economy.
Three perspectives
Neutral
The Coalition's move is seen as an attempt to rival One Nation's stance on migration. The party's plan will be closely watched by voters and economists. The impact of the reduction on Australia's economy remains to be seen.
Positive
The Coalition's plan prioritizes skills and maintains working holidaymaker places, which could benefit the Australian economy. The reduction in migration could also help to address concerns about population growth and infrastructure.
Negative
The reduction in migration could lead to a shortage of skilled workers and have a negative impact on the Australian economy. The Coalition's plan may also be seen as a populist move to appeal to voters who are concerned about migration.
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