Business leaders say Australia lacks a migration crisis, call for policy reset
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief says the country does not have a migration problem and urges the government to restore working-holiday visas.
Representatives from several industry bodies travelled to Canberra to press the Albanese government to reinstate full access to working-holiday visas, which have been delayed or halted for 24 partner countries. Andrew McKellar, chief executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, rejected claims that Australia faces a migration problem, calling such targets short-sighted and damaging to growth. He highlighted the nation’s housing crisis and persistent skills shortages as the pressing issues.
The coalition warned that focusing on net overseas migration numbers diverts attention from the specific labour needs of sectors like construction. South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas echoed the sentiment, stressing demographic ageing and the need for a well-designed migration program to sustain the standard of living.
