In a significant policy reversal, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has personally intervened to kill off a proposal to reduce Australia's annual refugee intake, according to sources briefed on the decision. The move overrides the position of Home Affairs and Immigration Minister Tony Burke, who had been working on options to lower the humanitarian intake as part of broader efforts to rein in population pressures and ease pressures on housing and infrastructure.
The decision directly affects the government's official migration target, outlined in the May federal budget, which aims to lower net overseas migration to 225,000 per year by the 2027-28 financial year. The refugee intake is a component of overall migration numbers, and maintaining current levels will require additional reductions in other visa categories or risk missing the target entirely.
Mr Albanese's office declined to comment on the specifics of internal deliberations, but a senior government source confirmed the Prime Minister made the call after considering both domestic political pressures and Australia's international humanitarian obligations. The government has faced criticism from some Coalition states and backbench MPs over migration levels, while refugee advocacy groups and Labor's left faction have urged the government to maintain or even increase the humanitarian program.
The budget target of 225,000 net migration represented a reduction from the government's earlier projections of around 250,000, reflecting concerns about housing affordability and infrastructure strain, particularly in major cities like Sydney and Melbourne. The refugee intake had not been formally set for the coming year, but plans under consideration would have reduced it by approximately 5,000 places, from 18,750 to around 13,750.
Immigration Minister Tony Burke had reportedly been assessing options that would align the humanitarian program with the government's broader migration strategy. Mr Burke's office said the Minister respects the Prime Minister's decision and will continue to work on implementing the government's migration agenda.
The decision comes as the government faces a delicate balancing act ahead of the next federal election, needing to manage voter concerns over housing and cost of living while maintaining its progressive credentials on refugee policy. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton criticised the move, accusing the government of being 'weak' on border control and failing to prioritise Australians' needs.
The refugee and humanitarian program remains one of the most contentious areas of Australia's migration system, which has historically drawn support from both major parties in principle but sparked fierce debate over numbers and settlement outcomes.