Coalition vows biggest immigration cuts in history

The federal Opposition has pledged the “biggest cut to immigration in Australian history”, with plans to slash migrant numbers by more than 100,000.

The Coalition is proposing deep cuts to graduate visas and refugee visas, forcing those who want secondary visas to apply from outside Australia.

Coalition leader Angus Taylor says the plan will reduce temporary visa holders by around 650,000 over four years and deliver a budget-neutral outcome while reducing overall migrant numbers by replacing lower-tax-paying temporary migrants with higher-skilled workers.

However, business groups, Labor and the Greens agree the cuts are too deep and will hurt the economy.
Property Council of Australia chief executive Mike Zorbas said the cuts will “tip a big bucket of cold water over businesses across Australia”.

Immigration Minister Tony Burke says the Opposition’s policy is merely a response to political pressure from One Nation.

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