Another 20 per cent want the intake to return to the levels when Australia had permanent migration of about 160,000 each year,fuelling a debate over the economic recovery,skills shortages and job opportunities for people thrown out of work during the crisis.
The exclusive survey,conducted forThe Sydney Morning Herald andThe Age by research company Resolve Strategic,found only 33 per cent of voters thought the economy would improve in the next month but 59 per cent thought it would get better in the next year.
Mr Morrison is telling voters he will make “sensible” and “balanced” decisions to rebuild the economy from the pandemic while Labor leader Anthony Albanese steps up a fight over jobs,wages and whether the Prime Minister can be trusted to deliver on promises.
The new survey highlights the caution in the community about opening the border to more international arrivals ahead of changes on December 1,when fully vaccinated people with visas can come to Australia as students,skilled workers,temporary workers,working holiday makers and family members.
“We’re expecting probably around about 200,000 or thereabouts that fit into the skilled and other visa categories that we would hope would take this up,” Mr Morrison said on Monday.
“Whether they take them all up in December or they take them up in January,well,we’ll see.”