Liberal Senator Criticizes Coalition Welfare Plan for Non-Citizens

Liberal senator Andrew McLachlan stated that restricting welfare benefits to citizens would create two classes of community members. He raised concerns about the Coalition's plan to limit access to payments including the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Jobseeker, Youth Allowance and the Family Tax Benefit for non-citizens.

McLachlan said the policy would require some permanent migrants to renounce their original citizenship if dual nationality is not permitted by their home country. He noted that China and India do not allow dual citizenship and that more than half of the three million permanent migrants who arrived in Australia between 2000 and 2021 became citizens.

The opposition leader announced the Coalition would recover billions of dollars by ending welfare eligibility for non-citizens. " He said migrants pay taxes and contribute to the economy, and that benefits should be assessed on individual need rather than citizenship status.

McLachlan added that the party should focus on skills recognition, bridging courses and English language training instead of restricting access.

A leaked review of the Liberal Party's

2025 federal election performance found the party had damaged its standing with Chinese-Australian and Indian-Australian voters. The review, prepared by former Liberal figures Pru Goward and Nick Minchin, attributed part of the damage to rhetoric around China and national security.

McLachlan is among a small group of moderates who have expressed concern over the party's current direction on migration policy.