Home Affairs Minister warns against guest worker economy as temporary visa numbers surge
Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has expressed concern over the country's reliance on temporary visa holders, warning against the development of a 'guest worker economy'. He defended current immigration levels against opposition calls for drastic cuts, arguing that such reductions would harm essential services like healthcare and construction.
Why it matters
The debate highlights the tension between managing record-high immigration numbers and maintaining the labor force required for critical infrastructure and public services.
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Share A A A Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke fears Australia could become a guest worker economy, as the number of temporary visas issued each year passes 1 million and the government prepares to announce major changes to the immigration system .
In a wide-ranging interview conducted before the immigration debate dominated Parliament this week, Burke also issued a warning about One Nation’s immigration plan to cut hundreds of thousands of migrants , declaring that hospitals would close and the tourism industry would collapse.
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