‘Performative reductions’: Labor MPs and business groups urge Burke against sweeping immigration changes
Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has delayed a major speech on immigration policy amid internal pressure from Labor MPs and business groups. Critics are urging the government to avoid sweeping cuts to family and humanitarian visas, favoring instead a focus on skilled migration and enforcement.
Why it matters
The debate highlights the tension between political pressure to reduce migration numbers and the economic necessity of maintaining a skilled workforce in Australia.
The home affairs minister, Tony Burke, was due to give an address to the National Press Club about immigration but delayed it by at least a week. Photograph: Dan Himbrechts/AAP The home affairs minister, Tony Burke, was due to give an address to the National Press Club about immigration but delayed it by at least a week. Photograph: Dan Himbrechts/AAP Australian immigration and asylum ‘Performative reductions’: Labor MPs and business groups urge Burke against sweeping immigration changes MPs say they are anxious for the government to avoid cuts to family and humanitarian visa categories
Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast
Prefer the Guardian on Google Major business groups have urged Labor to suspend its immigration changes and consult further with industry about how to get more skilled workers into the country, amid questions about looming Labor tweaks on permanent migration.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in