Australia to hold industry roundtable on planned migration cuts

The Australian government is hosting a roundtable in Canberra this week to consult with key industries regarding proposed changes to migration policies. The discussions aim to address concerns from sectors such as agriculture, aged care, tourism, and hospitality, which rely heavily on backpackers and seasonal workers.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke previously announced a migration overhaul intended to reduce net overseas arrivals by 75,000 per year. A central component of this plan involves the Working Holiday Maker program, which would introduce a ballot system for backpackers seeking to stay for a second or third year.

Industry groups have expressed concern that a lottery system and processing freezes could disrupt workforce planning, particularly during critical harvesting seasons. These measures come amid intense political debate, with the Coalition proposing even steeper cuts to net migration to prioritize skilled workers and stricter immigration standards.