Australia's Home Affairs Minister, Tony Burke, has committed to enhancing Labor's current migration policy rather than implementing a substantial reduction in migrant numbers. He argued that populist pledges to cut net overseas migration would "trash Australian services and trash the Australian economy."
Burke's stance was immediately supported by employer groups, who have recently indicated that arbitrary cuts to migrant numbers would exacerbate existing severe skills shortages and negatively impact businesses, particularly those in regional areas.
Speaking at the National Press Club, Burke stated, "We need immigration. We just need to make sure that it is targeted for the needs of Australia in numbers and across the different categories that work for our economy." He highlighted that close to two-thirds of plasterers in Sydney and Melbourne were born overseas, underscoring the role of immigration in addressing housing needs.
Bran Black, chief executive of the Business Council in Australia, welcomed the government's efforts to "restore integrity to the migration system." He emphasised that migration policy should be based on the economy's genuine needs, noting that almost one in three occupations in Australia currently face worker shortages.
Burke maintained the government's forecast of 225,000 net overseas migration by 2027-28, acknowledging a public expectation for the government to manage this figure. Alan Gamlen, director of the ANU's migration hub, suggested Burke's approach could regulate the temporary visa system without economic damage.