Liberals and Nationals Propose Historic Immigration Cuts for Australia

The Liberal and National parties in Australia have proposed the largest reduction in immigration in the country's history. Their plan aims to address housing shortages, ease pressure on public services, and protect Australia's way of life. The proposal includes cutting net overseas migration to 100,000 per year for the first two years, reducing the number of temporary visa holders by around 650,000 over four years, and maintaining a permanent skilled migration cap of 185,000 places annually.

The plan also includes stricter visa rules, such as requiring second and subsequent temporary visa applications to be made offshore and eliminating bridging visas. The Liberals and Nationals aim to prioritize skilled migration, including highly skilled workers and employer-sponsored applicants who meet high-quality criteria for income, age, English, and full-time work. They also plan to abolish Temporary Graduate Visas and reduce international student migration by restricting most secondary applicants.

The coalition estimates that the package will generate a small positive budget impact of around $260 million over four years. Opposition Leader Angus Taylor stated that the current Labor government has driven an explosion in temporary migration, with almost a million additional temporary migrants brought to Australia on their watch. He emphasized the need for a migration system that works for Australians and the economy, prioritizing skilled migration over mass migration.