Migrants a scapegoat for poor planning, inquiry told

Despite being accused of taking local jobs, overseas migrants create better workforce security and bolster the Australian economy, farming groups say.Migrants fill critical labour gaps, secure local jobs and enrich Australian culture, but are often wrongly blamed for long-standing challenges like housing supply, an inquiry has been told. 

Far from taking work away from locals in rural areas, migrants help create overall job security, Australian Meat Industry Council chief executive Tim Ryan told a parliamentary inquiry on Friday.

"The fundamental need for migrant labour is complementary to our ability to employ locals," Mr Ryan told the inquiry in Canberra.

"We'll always look to the local workforce as a priority ... but the ability to employ migrant labour also adds security to those local jobs.

"It underpins the whole business viability."

The inquiry is examining the economic, social and cultural value of skilled migration to Australia, amid a surge in anti-immigration rhetoric.

Labor is facing intensifying pressure from One Nation and the coalition to put a lid on migration to reduce demand for housing and services.

But changes to migrant numbers would take a significant toll on Australian producers, with a shortage of about 170,000 workers, National Farmers' Federation workforce relations general manager Michael Pyers said.

"Skilled migrants bring considerable expertise to the table ... (they) can bring a different perspective of how to do things from other parts of the world, which we can all learn from," Mr Pyers said.

Several peak farming bodies have written to the inquiry, urging the government to consider public education on the essential role of skilled migrants.

Awareness campaigns highlighting overseas workers' value could be backed by community events to reduce misconceptions and help migrants and long-term residents connect, one submission said.

Tasmanian dairy farmer Michele Lawrence said skilled migrants were vital for maintaining animal welfare and biosecurity, while also teaching the local workforce new skills.

"They are genuinely additive," Ms Lawrence said.

"They bring cultural and social perspectives to our local community and foster tolerance and understanding of what's happening elsewhere in the world."

Measures revealed in last Tuesday's budget showed of the 185,000 places allocated for permanent migrants in 2026/27, more than 132,000 would be for skilled workers.

The visa allocations would put downward pressure on net overseas migration, the budget document said.

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has promised to only allow arrivals equivalent to the number of homes built in the previous year.

Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry director of skills and employment Jodie Trembath said migration was demand-driven population change.

Overseas arrivals are often blamed for long-standing infrastructure pressures, including on services and housing.

Housing is a structural supply challenge, Dr Trembath said, with 177,000 dwellings completed in 2024 amid demand for 223,000 homes.

"Skilled migrants aren't flooding in," Dr Trembath said.

"They are being selected to fill gaps that Australia can't meet on its own.

"Confusing (net overseas migration) with permanent migration replaces a discussion that should be about planning."

The inquiry is due to sit in Sydney on Tuesday.