澳大利亚工党已推迟了内务部长托尼·伯克关于深度削减移民的重大政策宣布[1]。伯克原定于周四在全国新闻俱乐部发表主题演讲，宣布未来两年内将净移民削减75,000人的计划，但因内阁对政治反弹和经济影响的担忧而被推迟[1]。总理阿尔巴内塞在周末归来后将主持该政策的宣布[1]。
内阁在总理缺席的情况下，于周一对该政策草案提出了疑虑，认为需要进一步完善措施和评估经济影响[1]。政府考虑的削减措施包括加强家庭签证规则、限制背包客数量以及限制寻求庇护者的上诉权[1]。
移民问题已成为澳大利亚政府的紧迫关切。2024-2025年度，工作假期签证颁发了321,000份，较前一年增加超过三分之一[1]。合作伙伴签证积压超过100,000人，平均等待时间达17个月[1]。净移民数据同样令人瞩目——2022年10月政府预测的净海外移民为235,000人，但实际达到538,000人[1]。最新统计表明净移民数量约为300,000人，超过了疫情前的平均水平[1]。
Australia's Labor administration has postponed a significant policy announcement on migration reductions, citing internal concerns about political fallout and economic consequences.[1] The announcement, originally scheduled for Thursday at the National Press Club by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, has been deferred to allow for further policy refinement and economic impact assessment.[1] Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will now lead the announcement upon his return over the weekend.[1]
The delayed proposal aimed to reduce net migration by up to 75,000 people over the next two years.[1] The cabinet flagged reservations about the policy on Monday in the Prime Minister's absence.[1] Measures under consideration include tightening family visa regulations, capping working holiday maker numbers, and restricting asylum seeker appeal rights.[1] These steps reflect escalating pressure on the government to address rapid immigration growth, with net overseas migration reaching approximately 300,000 people according to the latest figures, surpassing pre-pandemic average levels.[1]
The migration system faces mounting backlogs, particularly in partner visa applications, which exceed 100,000 cases with waiting times stretching to 17 months.[1] In the 2024-2025 financial year, working holiday maker visas issued reached 321,000, representing an increase of more than one-third compared to the previous year.[1] Earlier population projections also proved significantly below actual figures, with the government forecasting net overseas migration of 235,000 in October 2022, while actual arrivals totaled 538,000.[1]