Migration

Ryan seconded the motion, citing a Scanlon Foundation report indicating that 85 per cent of Australians believe multiculturalism has been good for the country. Ryan noted that net migration had fallen significantly but highlighted a backlog of more than 400,000 individuals on bridging visas, an issue she attributed to previous government management. Ryan argued that ongoing migration is critical for maintaining workforce size and delivering essential services in sectors such as health care and education. Ryan emphasised that migrants hold roughly one-third of all Australian small businesses and contribute significantly to economic productivity and resilience.

Campbell thanked Steggall for the motion and highlighted the positive impact of migrant communities on the economy, particularly in filling critical roles in health care, construction, and education. Campbell stated that the government's approach is guided by the migration strategy released in December 2023, which drew on the conclusions of the Nixon review. Campbell noted that the government had delivered the majority of the strategy's reforms, including the establishment of the national innovation visa and the skills in demand visa. Campbell argued that these measures restore integrity to the system and ensure migration serves the national interest and long-term skills needs.