Important Updates
Important Updates
October 21, 2025 | SingaporeSingapore: Permanent Residents Will Need to Apply for a Re-Entry Permit to Maintain Permanent Residence Status
October 21, 2025 | DenmarkDenmark: New Online System for Foreign Service Providers’ Requirements Forthcoming
October 21, 2025 | United KingdomFragomen Contributes to Migration Observatory Report on Gender and Migration in the UK
October 21, 2025 | GeorgiaGeorgia: Authorities Request Police Clearances on Ad Hoc Basis 
October 21, 2025 | HungaryHungary: Easier Process for Study/Research Residence Permit Holders to Convert to EU Blue Card
October 21, 2025 | SingaporeSingapore: Permanent Residents Will Need to Apply for a Re-Entry Permit to Maintain Permanent Residence Status
October 21, 2025 | DenmarkDenmark: New Online System for Foreign Service Providers’ Requirements Forthcoming
October 21, 2025 | United KingdomFragomen Contributes to Migration Observatory Report on Gender and Migration in the UK
October 21, 2025 | GeorgiaGeorgia: Authorities Request Police Clearances on Ad Hoc Basis 
October 21, 2025 | HungaryHungary: Easier Process for Study/Research Residence Permit Holders to Convert to EU Blue Card
October 21, 2025 | SingaporeSingapore: Permanent Residents Will Need to Apply for a Re-Entry Permit to Maintain Permanent Residence Status
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationFragomen Consulting EuropeImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapCenter for Strategy and Applied InsightsVietnamese ImmigrationView More
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Fragomen Consulting Europe
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Center for Strategy and Applied Insights
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • View More

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
  • Insights

The Way Forward? Projecting Immigration Policy under the Morrison Government

October 1, 2018

justin gibbs

Country / Territory

  • AustraliaAustralia

Related offices

  • Brisbane
  • Melbourne
  • Perth
  • Sydney

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • Brisbane
  • Melbourne
  • Perth
  • Sydney

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • Brisbane
  • Melbourne
  • Perth
  • Sydney

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

With last month’s leadership spill, Scott Morrison became Australia’s sixth Prime Minister in the last decade. The internal division, which forced Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to step down, was precipitated by various intraparty disputes, including his stance on the National Energy Guarantee (NEG) to reduce Australia’s carbon emissions. Following the shuffle, Prime Minister Morrison named previous Assistant Minister for Finance, David Coleman, as his new Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs.  

What can these changes be expected to mean for immigration policy and administration?  Prime Minister Morrison previously served as Minister for Immigration and Border Protection from 2013 to 2014. During this time, he implemented Operation Sovereign Borders to address the issue of smuggling through a zero-tolerance posture against unlawful maritime arrivals. Despite his hard-line stance on border security, Prime Minister Morrison recognises the benefits of a robust migration program as a driver of productivity and economic growth.

At a recent press conference, Prime Minister Morrison acknowledged that while immigration forms a key part of national security, when managed correctly it ably supports an economic boom. He also reiterated that Australia needs to focus on immigration to bring in necessary skills and went on to call Australia ‘the most successful immigration country on earth.’ Both comments reveal a Prime Minister who seems more focused on the possible benefits of immigration than on policing borders. This is reflected in the combination of Immigration and Multiculturalism under Coleman’s purview, and removal of these functions from the law enforcement super-ministry of Home Affairs.  However, Immigration is now no longer represented in Cabinet.

Learn more on this topic in a recent alert by Fragomen.

 
Who is David Coleman?

The new Minister for Immigration has declined to comment publicly since his appointment. Prior to entering politics, he worked as an analyst at McKinsey, and more recently, served as Director of Strategy and Digital at Nine Entertainment. Prime Minister Morrison has described Minister Coleman as possessing a ‘…keen understanding of the many … different issues that need to be managed to ensure that Australians who have come from so many different backgrounds get [a] fair go...’.

In the past Minister Coleman has also spoken positively about the ‘widespread support for immigration’ in his electorate of Banks, a marginal seat in the south-western suburbs of Sydney with a significant Chinese born population, and, in a second reading speech, proclaimed that ‘…immigration is in our economic self-interest in terms of skilled migration…’.

 
Where to from here?

Based on their previous statements, we can expect that immigration policy under Prime Minister Morrison and Minister Coleman will focus on harnessing the economic benefits of immigration.  However, other government priorities remain very much alive, including the impact of migration on cities like Sydney and Melbourne, addressing skills shortages in regional areas and attracting top international talent to support innovation and economic growth.

For example, The Australian recently reported that the Morrison government will consider a proposed visa that binds migrants to regional areas for five years in an effort to drive regional growth. The plan is to prioritise migrants who agree to settle in certain areas by fast-tracking their applications through a points system. The placement of the former Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Alan Tudge, in charge of new portfolio of Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population may play a key role in this respect.

Other attempts maintained from the Turnbull Government include a trial Entrepreneurs Supporting Innovation in South Australia Visa, which would grant 30 visas in 2018 to young entrepreneurs with innovative ideas and a solid business plan.  Another is the Global Talent Scheme, a niche pilot under the Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) visa program to fill highly skilled positions otherwise ineligible under other visa programs.

Finally, the size of the migration program remains a particularly hot topic, especially in light of the infrastructure deficit in the largest cities. It may be that the creation of the Population portfolio is a way for Prime Minister Morrison to maintain the size of the migration program together with its economic benefit while addressing the concerns of other party factions about the sustainability of recent levels of migration.

As events of the past few weeks have shown us, things have a habit of changing quickly in Canberra. With a Federal election coming no later than May 2019 and the prospect of a change in government, the direction of immigration policy is likely to remain volatile for the foreseeable future. 

 

Learn more about our Australia practice. 

Country / Territory

  • AustraliaAustralia

Related offices

  • Brisbane
  • Melbourne
  • Perth
  • Sydney

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • Brisbane
  • Melbourne
  • Perth
  • Sydney

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Related offices

  • Brisbane
  • Melbourne
  • Perth
  • Sydney

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Fragomen news

Fragomen Contributes to Migration Observatory Report on Gender and Migration in the UK

Fragomen supported this report, which explores how gender shapes migration patterns, visa routes, employment and settlement in the UK.

Learn more

Blog post

Polish Citizenship Rules Under Review: What the Proposed Amendments Mean

Senior Associate Tomasz Rdzanek or Poland Immigration Strategy Director Tomasz Rogala discuss proposed changes to Poland’s citizenship law aimed at simplifying eligibility and clarifying naturalisation procedures for foreign nationals.

Learn more

Video

Oman Introduces a Golden Visa Program | #MobilityMinute

Manager David Makau discusses Oman's recent introduction of a Golden Visa program.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Stage: Actors, Dancers and Writers Set to Escape Visa Ban

Partner Louise Haycock highlights the inclusion of performing arts occupations on the temporary shortage list and what it means for international talent in the sector.

Learn more

Media mentions

Arts Professional: Creative Sector Must ‘Come Together’ to Give Artists Easier Access to Visas

Partner Louise Haycock highlights opportunities for easier access to overseas talent for the UK creative sector while guiding businesses through evolving visa rules.

Learn more

Blog post

British Citizenship for Adopted and Surrogate Children: What Families Should Know

Associate Amelia Haynes and Paralegal Clare Macmillan Bell discuss the legal considerations surrounding British citizenship for children born through adoption or surrogacy.

Learn more

Media mentions

Financial Times: Boom Time for Immigration Lawyers as US and UK Tighten Restrictions

Partner Bo Cooper provides insight on how evolving US and UK immigration policies, including recent H-1B changes, are shaping corporate mobility and compliance strategies.

Learn more

Video

Atividades Técnicas sob Status de Visitante | #MobilityMinute

O Diretor Executivo da Fragomen Brasil, Diogo Kloper, destaca uma atualização importante na política migratória brasileira, que muda significativamente o que estrangeiros podem fazer no país sob o status de visitante.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: Founders Without Frontiers: Navigating Immigration Rules for Start-Ups

Partner Rajiv Naik provides insight on how immigration frameworks across the UK, Europe and EMEA are evolving to support start-ups and entrepreneurial talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

The New York Times: Visiting the European Union? Expect to Give Your Biometric Data.

Partner Jo Antoons discusses the rollout of the EU's new Entry/Exit System.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Times: Bye bye, Dubai: why families are heading for Abu Dhabi

Fragomen is featured in The Times as a key immigration adviser highlighting Abu Dhabi’s rising demand for golden visas, especially among UK nationals seeking long-term, self-sponsored residency.

Learn more

Video

Important Update for Brazil-Bound Visitors | #MobilityMinute

Brazil Managing Partner Diana Quintas highlights Brazil’s visitor visa rules and what travelers should know.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Contributes to Migration Observatory Report on Gender and Migration in the UK

Fragomen supported this report, which explores how gender shapes migration patterns, visa routes, employment and settlement in the UK.

Learn more

Blog post

Polish Citizenship Rules Under Review: What the Proposed Amendments Mean

Senior Associate Tomasz Rdzanek or Poland Immigration Strategy Director Tomasz Rogala discuss proposed changes to Poland’s citizenship law aimed at simplifying eligibility and clarifying naturalisation procedures for foreign nationals.

Learn more

Video

Oman Introduces a Golden Visa Program | #MobilityMinute

Manager David Makau discusses Oman's recent introduction of a Golden Visa program.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Stage: Actors, Dancers and Writers Set to Escape Visa Ban

Partner Louise Haycock highlights the inclusion of performing arts occupations on the temporary shortage list and what it means for international talent in the sector.

Learn more

Media mentions

Arts Professional: Creative Sector Must ‘Come Together’ to Give Artists Easier Access to Visas

Partner Louise Haycock highlights opportunities for easier access to overseas talent for the UK creative sector while guiding businesses through evolving visa rules.

Learn more

Blog post

British Citizenship for Adopted and Surrogate Children: What Families Should Know

Associate Amelia Haynes and Paralegal Clare Macmillan Bell discuss the legal considerations surrounding British citizenship for children born through adoption or surrogacy.

Learn more

Media mentions

Financial Times: Boom Time for Immigration Lawyers as US and UK Tighten Restrictions

Partner Bo Cooper provides insight on how evolving US and UK immigration policies, including recent H-1B changes, are shaping corporate mobility and compliance strategies.

Learn more

Video

Atividades Técnicas sob Status de Visitante | #MobilityMinute

O Diretor Executivo da Fragomen Brasil, Diogo Kloper, destaca uma atualização importante na política migratória brasileira, que muda significativamente o que estrangeiros podem fazer no país sob o status de visitante.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: Founders Without Frontiers: Navigating Immigration Rules for Start-Ups

Partner Rajiv Naik provides insight on how immigration frameworks across the UK, Europe and EMEA are evolving to support start-ups and entrepreneurial talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

The New York Times: Visiting the European Union? Expect to Give Your Biometric Data.

Partner Jo Antoons discusses the rollout of the EU's new Entry/Exit System.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Times: Bye bye, Dubai: why families are heading for Abu Dhabi

Fragomen is featured in The Times as a key immigration adviser highlighting Abu Dhabi’s rising demand for golden visas, especially among UK nationals seeking long-term, self-sponsored residency.

Learn more

Video

Important Update for Brazil-Bound Visitors | #MobilityMinute

Brazil Managing Partner Diana Quintas highlights Brazil’s visitor visa rules and what travelers should know.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.