QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE

Senator GALLAGHER (Australian Capital Territory—Minister for Finance, Minister for the Public Service, Minister for Women, Minister for Government Services and Manager of Government Business in the Senate) (14:44): I thank Senator Whitten for the supplementary. Again, just adding to the answer I gave to the primary question but including that we have reduced net overseas migration by about 45 per cent compared to the post-COVID peak when we did see numbers—unsurprisingly, because our borders had been shut, we did see a pull forward as people returned to Australia and were able to take up the opportunities that their visa allowed.

We will build a migration system that works for the skills we need and for the businesses and services that Australians rely on, but the net overseas migration has come down substantially. The productivity issues across the economy require a whole-of-government coordinated response, including skills and better recognising skills here, and there's more work to do.

(Time expired) The PRESIDENT: Senator Whitten, second supplementary?