Labor wrestles with migration figures but opponents struggle to find the target
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese faced internal party backlash after reports suggested a cut to the annual refugee intake. The government ultimately decided not to proceed with the cuts following pressure from Labor MPs.
Why it matters
The incident illustrates the political volatility surrounding immigration policy and the internal friction within the Labor party regarding humanitarian commitments.
Home affairs minister Tony Burke and prime minister Anthony Albanese. Several Labor MPs sought an explanation over the PM’s announcement of a refugee intake cut. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP Home affairs minister Tony Burke and prime minister Anthony Albanese. Several Labor MPs sought an explanation over the PM’s announcement of a refugee intake cut. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP Australian immigration and asylum Labor wrestles with migration figures but opponents struggle to find the target By focusing on the net overseas migration number, Labor risks making a ‘silly mistake’ experts say
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Prefer the Guardian on Google Anyone looking for an indication of just how hot the politics of immigration are running inside federal Labor need only consider what happened on Thursday.
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