Coalition to Hold Australia’s Refugee Intake at Current Rate

Hazara refugee Ali cooks kebabs in his "Afghan Friendship Restaurant" on Sept. 28, 2018, in Griffith, a tribute to the warm welcome he says he received after moving to the town five years ago. The 44-year-old father of three is among a growing number of refugees and migrants to Australia who have opted to live in the bush rather than among the bright lights, hustle-bustle and astronomical prices of Sydney or Melbourne. PETER PARKS/AFP/Getty Images

Scott Morrison is promising to freeze the annual refugee migrant intake at its current rate of 18,750 a year for the next three years if he wins the election.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the cap on Sunday as part of proposed adjustments to Australia’s immigration system. It is a direct challenge to Labor leader Bill Shorten, who plans to gradually lift the humanitarian intake to 32,000 a year.