Australia set to cut immigration intake

Despite analysis showing benefits of migrant influx, govt under pressure to reduce numbers

Tourists resting near the Harbour Bridge in Sydney, on April 18, 2018. PHOTO: REUTERS
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Australia is expected to reduce its immigration intake by more than 20 per cent this year, despite official analysis showing that the migrant influx boosts employment and adds billions of dollars to the economy each year.

The federal government's analysis was released this week amid a heated debate about whether Australia should cut its current annual intake of up to 190,000 migrants to avoid urban overcrowding.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 21, 2018, with the headline Australia set to cut immigration intake. Subscribe