Liberal backbencher breaks ranks to warn against Taylor's welfare cuts for non-citizens
Liberal senator Andrew McLachlan has expressed concerns over his party's immigration policy, particularly regarding welfare cuts for tax-paying migrants. He argues that the proposed changes create a divide among community members based on citizenship status. McLachlan emphasizes the need for a broader discussion on the rights and obligations of citizenship in Australia.
- ▪Senator Andrew McLachlan criticized the Coalition's plan to restrict welfare benefits to citizens only.
- ▪He highlighted that many permanent migrants may have to renounce their original citizenship to access these benefits.
- ▪McLachlan warned that the policy could foster resentment among migrant communities and undermine their contributions to society.
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analysisAndrew McLachlan condemns party's stance on permanent migrantsBy Patricia KarvelasTopic:Migration PolicyMon 18 May 2026 at 4:43amMon 18 May 2026 at 4:43amMon 18 May 2026 at 4:43amLiberal senator Andrew McLachlan has broken ranks to raise concerns about Angus Taylor's plan to push tax-paying migrants off welfare benefits. (ABC News: Matt Roberts)abc.net.au/news/andrew-mclachlan-concerns-over-liberal-migration-welfare-cuts-/106689784Link copiedShareShare articleA Liberal senator has condemned his own party for creating "two types of community members" by pushing tax-paying migrants off welfare benefits, and raised concerns with Angus Taylor's use of the term "mass immigration" in his budget reply speech.Backbencher Andrew McLachlan broke ranks on immigration policy, raising deep…
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