In his budget reply the leader of the opposition Angus Taylor announced that an elected Coalition government would disqualify permanent residents from being able to access welfare programs and the NDIS. Such a move would disenfranchise many migrants from obtaining The Aged Pension, JobSeeker, Family Tax Benefits and Austudy.
With the policy option floated by the opposition potentially impacting millions of people living in Australia, Stephen Hill asked skills and training minister Andrew Giles about the impact these possible changes would have on the migrant community.
Image: Shutterstock – Port Macquarie Citizenship Ceremony
Produced By: Stephen Hill
Featured In Story: Andrew Giles, Minister for Skills and Training
First aired on The Wire, Wednesday 20 May 2026