Tony Burke set to unveil Labor’s new migration plan

Labor is set to unveil its long-awaited migration policy, with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke expected to make the announcement at the National Press Club on Thursday.

Burke has already flagged plans to make more changes to the visa system to try to slow visa applications in certain areas in order to meet the Treasury forecasts for net overseas migration.

The horticulture and tourism sectors have been appealing for certainty, raising fears there has been a backlog of working holiday visas which could mean there aren’t enough workers for regional businesses in the summer months.

Burke has told SBS News he tried to find a path for bipartisan agreement with the Opposition.

“I had hoped that the Opposition would work constructively to make sure the immigration minister of the day had additional powers to be able to regulate net overseas migration,” he said.

“At the moment, they haven’t agreed to measures which they claim to support.

“I would much rather have more targeted leavers available.”

This is a developing story and this article will be updated.

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