WA Premier Roger Cook Fights to Stop Federal Government’s Shocking 30% Cut to Skilled Migration
- WA Premier Roger Cook slams federal government’s plan to slash skilled migration by 30% in his state
- Cook warns the move would cripple the state’s economy and exacerbate the housing shortage
- The proposed cut comes amid growing scrutiny of Australia’s migration policy, with the Liberal Party claiming blown-out planned migration numbers
In a shocking move, the federal government is proposing to slash skilled migration into Western Australia by a whopping 30%, sparking outrage from WA Premier Roger Cook. The premier has written to the prime minister, urging him to reconsider the drastic cut, which would see the number of State Nominated Migration Program places plummet from 5,000 to 3,400.
Cook is adamant that the reduction would have a devastating impact on the state’s economy, which is already facing a severe shortage of skilled workers. “Western Australia’s economy is the strongest in the nation, and we need more workers to support our growth,” he said. “The federal government’s plan would stunt our economic growth and slow the construction of homes, exacerbating the housing shortage that’s already crippling our state.”
The premier is particularly concerned about the impact on the building and construction sector, which is struggling to keep up with demand. “We need more workers to build homes, schools, and hospitals, but the federal government’s plan would make it impossible for us to meet those needs,” he warned.
The proposed cut comes amid growing scrutiny of Australia’s migration policy, with the Liberal Party claiming that planned migration numbers have blown out in recent years. However, Cook is adamant that WA’s needs are unique and that the state requires a strong skilled migration program to support its economy.
“We’re not just talking about numbers; we’re talking about people’s lives,” he said. “We need skilled workers to fill the gaps in our workforce, and we need them now. The federal government’s plan would put our state’s economic growth at risk, and that’s unacceptable.”
As the debate over migration policy continues to rage, Cook remains resolute in his opposition to the proposed cut. “I’ll keep fighting for what’s best for Western Australia, and that means ensuring we have the skilled workers we need to support our economy,” he vowed.