Coalition’s migration plan risks breaching India free trade agreement and damaging economy, advocates warn

Angus Taylor’s drastic cuts to graduate visas aim to end a citizenship pathway, but universities body says changes will make Australia less competitive

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The Coalition’s migration plan risks breaching Australia’s free trade agreement with India, signed by the former Morrison government, allowing Indian students to stay and work for up to four years after completing their studies.

Angus Taylor on Tuesday announced plans to cut net overseas migration to 100,000 for the first two years of a Coalition government and up to 160,000 in year four, in a plan which would abolish temporary graduate visas, make major cuts to international student, bridging and temporary protection visas, and halve humanitarian places.