Morrison government plan to make more migrants wait for benefits labelled ‘unusual’ and ‘harsh’

Labor's Linda Burney says migrants have consistently been left behind and neglected by this government'

The Coalition's proposal to force migrants to wait four years for family and carers payments has been labelled unusual" and harsh" by the federal opposition.

The $671m cost-cutting measure was the largest saving in Tuesday's budget. It sets up a political fight with Labor which could try and block the changes which will require legislation but won't deliver substantial savings until 2024-25.