'Consider becoming citizens': Taylor says Coalition to restrict welfare access for permanent residents

Federal Leader of the Liberal Party Angus Taylor during the 65th Federal Council of the Liberal Party of Australia in Melbourne, Saturday, May 30, 2026. Source: AAP / Jay Kogler/AAPIMAGE

Recently, Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has proposed restricting welfare benefits for permanent residents, suggesting they consider becoming citizens. Speaking to multicultural media last week, he addressed a range of issues including migration and housing. Linking welfare access to citizenship status, he further noted that under a Coalition government, health benefits would remain available to all residents. Census data shows that more than 3 million permanent migrants settled in Australia between 2001 and 2021, with 59 per cent having become citizens by 2021.

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Published 2 June 2026 5:25pm

By Natasha Kaul

Source: SBS

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Recently, Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has proposed restricting welfare benefits for permanent residents, suggesting they consider becoming citizens. Speaking to multicultural media last week, he addressed a range of issues including migration and housing. Linking welfare access to citizenship status, he further noted that under a Coalition government, health benefits would remain available to all residents. Census data shows that more than 3 million permanent migrants settled in Australia between 2001 and 2021, with 59 per cent having become citizens by 2021.

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