Coalition wants 45,000 migrants for major projects

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1. 1d ago

   Australia Coalition Pushes 45,000 Skilled Migrants for Major Projects

   Australia's opposition Coalition is proposing to bring 45,000 temporary skilled workers into the country for major developments, even as it pledges what it describes as the biggest cut to immigration in the nation's history. Opposition Leader Angus Taylor stated the Coalition would reduce net overseas migration to 100,000 for two years through an overhaul of graduate and bridging visas. The specific allocation for major projects is intended to support initiatives such as the gas fields at Beetaloo, according to reports. Taylor conceded that aged care workers would be impacted by the broader migration plan, though he played down concerns that the policy would deter foreign students.

   Why it matters

   Australia's major political parties are currently locked in an immigration showdown, with Labor, the Coalition, and One Nation all putting forward aggressive plans to reduce migrant numbers and overhaul visa systems. The Coalition's dual strategy attempts to balance deep cuts to overall net overseas migration with targeted workforce exceptions for resource and infrastructure projects. Critics and opponents are scrutinizing the feasibility and economic costs of these competing proposals, particularly regarding workforce shortages in critical sectors like aged care.

   What is confirmed

   • The Coalition proposes to reduce net overseas migration to 100,000 for two years through an overhaul targeting graduate and bridging visas.
   • Opposition Leader Angus Taylor conceded that aged care workers would be hit by the migration plan.
   • Labor, the Coalition, and One Nation have all proposed steep cuts to migration and overhauls to visa systems.

   Still unconfirmed

   • The proposal to bring an extra 45,000 temporary skilled workers into Australia is designed to boost developments including the gas fields at Beetaloo.

   What to watch next

   • Further details on how the Coalition plans to manage the economic trade-offs of the proposed migration cuts
   • Responses from industry stakeholders regarding the 45,000 skilled worker allocation for major projects and fossil fuel developments
   Sources used for this update (15)

   1. www.acton.org — 5 times President Trump attacked socialism in the 2020 State of the Union | Acton Institute
   2. Reuters — Australian opposition party vows 'biggest cut to immigration' in country's history
   3. ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation — Taylor concedes aged care workers would be hit by migration plan
   4. Politico — Coalition wants 45,000 migrants for major projects — including for fossil fuels
   5. The Guardian — How do major parties’ migration policies compare - and are any actually achievable for Australia?
   6. SMH.com.au — The cost of cutting foreign workers: Fares spike in Taylor’s migration gamble
   7. ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation — Federal politics live: Taylor plays down concerns migration policy could deter foreign students
   8. www.theguardian.com — Angus Taylor vows biggest cut to migration in Australia’s ...
   9. www.abc.net.au — Coalition promises deep cuts as it enters migration fight ...
   10. thenightly.com.au — Australia immigration: Coalition, Labor and One Nation ...
   11. www.thecourier.com.au — Major parties all flag big cuts to immigration numbers | The Courier | Ballarat, VIC
   12. www.dailymail.com — Immigration showdown: How Labor, the Coalition and One Nation plan to dramatically reshape who comes to A....
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