The Coalition is preparing to announce a plan aimed at significantly reducing net overseas migration to fewer than 180,000 people per year, coupled with a promise to ease regulations in the construction industry. Shadow housing minister Andrew Bragg is scheduled to unveil these proposals at the National Press Club.
Bragg plans to assert that a reduction in net overseas migration to this level is achievable and consistent with historical trends. He is expected to point to the period of 2009-2010, when net overseas migration reportedly declined from 300,000 to 175,000 within approximately 18 months.
This proposed reduction would be primarily achieved by prioritizing skilled migrant workers who possess qualifications aligned with identified Australian industry needs. The plan also indicates a reduction in other migration streams, including family visas, international student visas, and other temporary migrant categories.
In parallel, the Coalition intends to reform the National Construction Code. Bragg is expected to advocate for a reduction of the current 2,000-page document to a more concise 80-page basic standard. He argues that the existing code imposes excessive red tape, making it prohibitively difficult to construct affordable and safe housing.