Julian Hill (Bruce, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

The size and the shape of our annual migration program will always vary depending on our national and economic interests. It's been true under this government. A fact to inject into the debate is that the permanent migration program this year is 185,000 people. Last year it was 185,000 people. Seventy per cent of that permanent migration program are skilled visa holders. The rest, predominantly, are family—partner and child visas, predominantly. Despite population growth, despite demand, including in regional areas in particular, for skilled workers and despite pressures on family reunions, that number has remained unchanged. Every state—

This is just a tactic to interrupt because I want to respond to the points made.

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