Taylor rejects migration critics, pledges skilled-visa boost and temporary visa cuts

Treasury Minister Angus Taylor defended a four-year migration overhaul that first reduces net migration to 100,000 and later lifts it to 160,000, involving a cut of 650,000 temporary visas. He argued that business anxieties stem from Labor’s reliance on population growth and that Australia needs a more competitive, low-tax environment rather than a guest-worker system. Taylor claimed the record immigration levels of one outlet government created a need for “record cuts” to allow housing, infrastructure and services to catch up.

Master Builders Australia praised the emphasis on skilled migrants but cautioned that fewer temporary visas could strain non-skilled labor in construction. The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry criticised the plan, warning it could jeopardise critical workforces and risk a recession.