The flood of migrant workers that has helped sustain the long economic boom has all but dried up following the COVID-19-induced closure of Australia's borders.
Migrant numbers are expected to drop by 30 per cent this financial year, and by 85 per cent in 2020-21 (compared with 2018-19).
With the economy officially in reverse and the ranks of the unemployed and underemployed swelling, there are some who say the migration slump is no bad thing.
In a recent opinion piece, Labor's immigration spokeswoman, Kristina Keneally, argued that although migration had played a key role in Australia's economic prosperity, in recent years a "cheap supply" of foreign workers had been taking jobs from Australians and undercutting wages.
Read more: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-12/fact-check-analysis-foreign-workers-visas-457/12334900
