Coalition's plan to cut bridging visas could trigger massive detention expansion and billions in costs

Angus Taylor pledged the largest migration cuts in Australian history, aiming to slash 650,000 temporary visas and virtually eradicate bridging visas by requiring applicants to return overseas for new visas. While the Coalition said exemptions would exist for sectors like aged care and construction, the plan's financial impact remains unclear, with the Parliamentary Budget Office constrained from modelling Labor's policies.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke asked for specifics on the additional detention capacity needed, warning that the proposal could entail billions in spending. Nationals leader Matt Canavan dismissed Burke's concerns as "absurd" and argued that forcing offshore applications would swiftly lower visa counts. The debate also touched on potential effects on skilled workers, with Burke noting the risk to aged-care, construction and medical staffing. One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce missed a scheduled interview, citing illness, leaving further questions about migration policies unanswered.