The opposition promises to lower annual net overseas migration to 100,000, while business groups warn of economic risks.
Opposition leader Angus Taylor defended the Coalition’s migration platform after Australia’s peak business group sharply criticised it. The plan would cut the number of temporary migrants by about 650,000 and lower net overseas migration to 100,000 a year for two years after the next election.
Taylor called it the largest migration reduction in Australia’s history. He argues that fewer temporary arrivals, combined with a focus on more highly skilled workers, would support the budget and the economy. He rejected the suggestion that the policy was designed to copy One Nation, which has proposed negative net migration for three years followed by an annual level of 130,000. Labor’s target is 225,000 migrants a year.
The Business Council of Australia warned that a steep reduction in workers could affect aged care, education, construction and retail, as well as investment. Council chief executive Mike Zorbas said the plan risked reducing service levels and shrinking the economy.
Assistant Citizenship Minister Julian Hill acknowledged that migration had fallen more slowly than expected after its post-pandemic peak, but accused the Coalition of chasing headlines. He called for the policy’s economic modelling to be released. Taylor did not provide the modelling during television interviews; the Coalition says it will publish full costings closer to the election, due by mid-2028.
The business council said it remained unclear which visa categories would account for the 650,000 reduction and what the effects would be on employers and the labour market.