A leading business group has sounded the alarm over the “mischievous” immigration debate that has escalated in the lead-up to the Super Saturday by-elections, accusing both Labor and the Coalition of misrepresenting figures.
Both parties have ramped up their rhetoric on the hot-button issue of immigration in recent weeks, ahead of five key by-elections on 28 July.
ALP leader Bill Shorten at the launch of the Labor campaign in the seat of Longman at the Caboolture RSL.
Labor facing historic by-election defeat, new poll reveals
“There are lies, damn lies and statistics,” James Pearson, head of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told SBS News.
“And I'm sorry to say that the numbers being bandied about in this debate are being bandied about in the most misleading way.”
The Turnbull government was last week spruiking the latest permanent migration numbers - which fell to the lowest level in 10 years - as an endorsement of tougher vetting procedures that cut down on “fraudulent applications”.
In response, Labor blasted the government for allowing around 1.6 million people to live in Australia on temporary visas that included the right to work.
“What has become an absolute problem has been the explosion, the misuse and abuse, of issuing of temporary work visas,” shadow minister for employment Brendan O’Connor told ABC Radio.
“If you want to know why unemployment amongst young people is so high compared to other OECD countries, just look at the amount of visas being issued.”
