Arabic version: الائتلاف يقترح حدود الهجرة مرتبطة ببناء المساكن
Opposition leader Angus Taylor will make migration a centrepiece of the Coalition’s agenda in his budget reply speech, proposing a plan that would link net overseas migration to the number of homes built in the previous year. According to SBS News, the Coalition aims to reduce pressure on Australia’s housing sector by limiting the number of foreigners allowed into the country.
Taylor’s proposal comes as a response to the current migration levels, which have reportedly outpaced housing availability. He plans to state, “Australia should only bring in as many people as it can house,” during his address. The proposed changes would see net overseas migration capped at the number of new homes built in the previous year, which was around 175,000, a significant reduction from the current forecast of 295,000 for this financial year.
The Coalition’s strategy also includes barring new migrants from accessing welfare benefits, such as the aged pension and National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), until they become Australian citizens. This approach is intended to align with the party’s emphasis on prioritizing Australian citizens and addressing the challenges posed by high migration rates.
Additionally, Taylor’s speech will highlight the Coalition’s commitment to housing infrastructure, including a revival of a $5 billion fund aimed at facilitating new housing developments. This fund is projected to unlock up to 400,000 new homes, a move that Taylor argues is essential for supporting the growing population while ensuring adequate housing resources.
The proposed changes come as part of a broader political landscape where the Coalition seeks to challenge the Labor Party’s housing policies, particularly following Labor’s recent plans to eliminate tax concessions for property investors. Taylor’s remarks indicate a clear intention to position the Coalition as a party focused on housing and migration issues, setting the stage for a significant political debate ahead.
