in brief
- Reporting had suggested the government was considering cuts tot the humanitarian visa scheme.
- Earlier comments from the government left the door open for cuts.
The Albanese government has denied plans to slash Australia’s humanitarian intake by a third, after reports the cut was being considered as part of a broader push to reduce net overseas migration.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement the government's 20,000 humanitarian placements would "be continued in future years, consistent with Australia’s humanitarian commitments".
The statement followed reporting on Thursday morning by The Australian Financial Review newspaper that Labor appeared poised to reduce humanitarian placements from 20,000 to 13,750 at the start of the next financial year and that it had factored the decrease into migration forecasts.
A spokesman for Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke told SBS News earlier on Thursday that the final decision on next year's humanitarian intake had not yet been made and linked the process to next year's budget. At the time he did not rule out cuts.
But in his statement to SBS News, Albanese said the existing figure "remains government policy".
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In the wake of multiple international conflicts around the world, Labor has made a series of increases to the humanitarian intake, pushing it to its current high.
The confusion comes as the government is anticipated to announce an overhaul of its migration policy.
Labor had been expected to reveal details in a National Press Club address by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke earlier this month, but the speech was cancelled after Burke failed to secure cabinet agreement on the best approach.
Since then, Albanese has refused to give further updates, telling ABC radio on Tuesday that there are a "series of plans in place" but there is still "more work to do" to finalise them. He declined to set a timeframe for immigration announcements, saying only that they would come at "appropriate times".
Migration targets have been the source of recent public debate, with One Nation pushing a tough anti-migration stance and gaining in the polls.
Both major parties have sought to restrict their own immigration policies while denying that this is in response to the minor party's growing popularity.
Opposition leader Angus Taylor has said the Coalition will cap net overseaos migration (NOM) at or below the number of homes built in Australia the previous year. Current building rates suggest their figure would be under 180,000; however, the Coalition is yet to announce where they would restrict immigration to reach that figure.
In 2024-2025, NOM was 306,000. Labor's budgetary forecasts suggest it will decline to 225,000 by 2027-2028, after the party has made concerted efforts to bring it down from a post-pandemic peak of 568,000.
One Nation has stated its preferred migration target is 130,000, although One Nation MP David Farley claimed the party would accept an additional 100,000 essential workers at the weekend. Party leader Pauline Hanson and MP Barnaby Joyce soon corrected him in a public fallout over targets.
What is Labor planning?
According to a report by The Australian newspaper on Wednesday, Labor is close to finalising its immigration crackdown, which will restrict international students and their families and limit visitor visas.
Burke is expected to reveal sweeping changes within weeks, with some measures thought to take effect in September.
The student visa changes could stop internationals from changing courses to extend their stay, reject onshore visa applications, limit the number of family members allowed on the visas, and halt the transfer of people from higher education into vocational or training programs.
Certain tourist visas are also expected to be cut from 12 months down to six.
The changes follow already substantial immigration reductions.
Australia's permanent migration program was brought down from a post-pandemic high of 195,000 to 185,000.
In July, the skilled visa program was overhauled, pushing overseas applicants to the back of the queue to slow the pace of new arrivals.
In addition, graduate visas have become more expensive, with lower age limits and stricter English-language requirements. Proof-of-funds requirements were also raised for international students to clamp down on illegal work.
While no government can dictate a net overseas migration (NOM) figure — a measurement of human movement, not a quota — it can adjust visas and entry requirements which impact NOM.
While Labor ministers are concerned that a more hardline approach to immigration will see them lose left-wing voter support, they are thought to be trying to ensure that the government can at least meet its own immigration forecasts.
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