'Profound' consequences: Concern right to work in the firing line amid migration push

A coalition of rights groups is urging the federal government to reconsider revoking work rights for asylum seekers, warning it could lead to exploitation and wage theft. As pressure mounts on migration policy, the Albanese government is reportedly considering removing work rights for temporary migrants applying for protection visas, though the move has not been officially announced.

The ABC reported that the plan was intended to be part of a speech by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, which was later canceled. Community, charity, multicultural, and migrant organizations, including Anglicare Australia, GetUp, Human Rights Law Centre, and Multicultural Australia, have written to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressing concern that the measure would push people to poverty and make them more vulnerable to unsafe working conditions, wage theft, and exploitation.

The organizations argue that revoking work rights would further burden charities already stretched thin by the existing asylum seeker support system. Most asylum seekers cannot access Centrelink, and revoking work rights would severely impact their ability to support themselves. The groups propose investing in the asylum and protection claims system, improving assessment and review processes to ensure a fair application process.

The government has been under pressure from both One Nation and the Coalition to reduce net migration numbers, with Burke suggesting slowing the processing of working holiday visas as a potential solution.