Australia's Immigration Minister Chris Evans said Sunday that his country might reduce the inflow of migrants if the global financial crisis raises unemployment levels in the country.
In a televised interview on Sunday, the minister said that a decision on the issue would be taken after the release of the country's mid-year financial data next month.
"Clearly if the demand for labor comes off you'd adjust the migration program accordingly," he said. "We can turn the taps off if we need to.
Evans added that the government would take a decision on the issue only after analyzing the economic situation and consulting industry leaders, as there are still industries that had a "strong demand" for labor.
He said that the country's current immigration program was designed when the country was predicted to be heading towards economic growth, high inflation and a skills shortage.
"If those parameters are changing, the government will take a sober look at those issues and make a decision when we have got proper information," he said.
He added that the country has seen a rise in immigration levels from countries like Britain and New Zealand that are currently experiencing an economic "downturn."
Australia has been encouraging the immigration of skilled workers into the country as it is facing chronic labor shortages in some industrial sectors, and some 190,300 immigrants are projected to arrive in the country in 2008/09.
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June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.