Coalition migration cuts would cost billions, Burke warns
Angus Taylor pledges historic migration cuts but Tony Burke warns of massive spending needed.
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor pledged this week to cut 650,000 temporary visas and nearly eliminate bridging visas, representing the biggest cuts to migration in Australia's history. Temporary visa holders would have to leave Australia and reapply offshore.
The Coalition said exceptions would apply to aged care and construction. Taylor claimed the plan would be budget neutral.
However, the Parliamentary Budget Office had trouble analyzing it. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke challenged the plan, saying it would require massive expansion of detention capacity.
Burke said it would cost billions and billions of dollars. Nationals leader Matt Canavan said the plan would focus on visa classes that have grown rapidly.
These include student visas and graduate visas. He said requiring offshore reapplication would rapidly reduce numbers.
Burke defended Labor's pledge to return to pre-2015 enforcement arrangements. He noted detention use leads to six voluntary departures for every person detained.
- 650,000
- Temporary visas to cut
- Angus Taylor
- Opposition Leader
- Tony Burke
- Home Affairs Minister
Why it mattersThe cost and feasibility of the Coalition plan are now contested between major parties as they debate it ahead of an election. Billions are potentially at stake.
AustraliaAustralian aged care, construction, and healthcare sectors that rely on temporary workers face significant disruption if the Coalition plan passes, while government detention costs could rise sharply.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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