Australia warns on migrant cuts

Australian Immigration Minister Chris Evans said a decision on reducing numbers would be taken after mid-year financial data is published next month.

Around 190,300 immigrants are forecast to arrive in Australia in 2008/09.

Earlier this month, a British minister said the country could reduce migrant flows due to the economic crisis.

Mr Evans said the country's current migrant programme, which is aimed at skilled workers, was designed when Australia was forecasting good economic growth and a skills shortage.

"If those parameters are changing, the government will take a sober look at those issues and make a decision when we have got proper information," he told Nine Network television.

taken from news.bbc.co.uk