Australia weighs changes to UK visa deal after rise in British arrivals
Anthony Albanese said he wants to revisit an arrangement that exempts British travellers from a regional work requirement, citing pressure on local jobs.
What to know
- Albanese raised the matter with Andy Burnham at the Commonwealth summit in the Caribbean.
- The two met on Monday evening at the gathering of Commonwealth leaders.
- The existing agreement lifts a requirement that British travellers work outside major cities.
- Albanese pointed to growing numbers of British visitors in hotspots such as Sydney.
Australia is reviewing the terms of a visa arrangement with Britain after a rise in the number of British travellers, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said. He told reporters he wanted to discuss altering the deal, which removes a regional work requirement for British visitors.
Albanese raised the issue with Andy Burnham during a meeting on Monday evening at the Commonwealth heads of government meeting in the Caribbean. He said the easing of the rules had contributed to a surge in British visitor numbers, adding pressure on the local workforce.
The arrangement has drawn attention as British travellers cluster in popular destinations such as Sydney. Albanese did not say what specific changes he was considering, and no timetable for any revision was given.
Reporting credit
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