The Australian Coalition has unveiled a new migration policy aimed at reducing net overseas migration to 100,000 annually for the first two years, eventually rising to 160,000 by the fourth year. The plan proposes a series of restrictive measures, including the abolition of temporary graduate visas, significant reductions in international student and bridging visas, and a 50% cut to humanitarian intake.

Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor announced the policy, framing it as a necessary adjustment to current migration levels. However, the proposal has faced immediate pushback from advocacy groups and policy analysts. A primary point of contention is the potential conflict with the Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), which was signed under the previous Morrison government. Critics argue that the Coalition’s plan to restrict temporary graduate visas would directly undermine the ECTA, which specifically allows Indian students to live and work in Australia for up to four years post-graduation.

While the Coalition maintains that these changes are essential for managing population growth and infrastructure pressure, opponents warn that the policy could damage Australia’s international reputation and economic ties with India. The legal viability of the plan remains a subject of debate, with advocates suggesting that a unilateral move to restrict these visas could trigger a formal breach of the bilateral trade agreement.