Australia will reduce the quota for admission of immigrants.

Australian Immigration Minister Chris Evans (Chris Evans) said that in 2010 would reduce the number of arrivals of foreign workers. In times of economic crisis, the Government will take measures to protect the Australian labor market, reports The Daily Telegraph.
In 2009, Australia should take about 190 thousands of immigrants, 20 per cent more than in the 2007-2008 fiscal year. This is the highest figure since 1970, when the country entered a little more than 185 thousand foreign workers.
At the same time, the decline in jobs in 2010, the country is expected 7-percent unemployment rate, which significantly reduces the demand for foreign labor. The unions have demanded the government to delete from the list of professions for immigrants, some specialty, qualified professionals who are available in sufficient quantities in the domestic market.
The Minister explained that the final figures on immigration will be announced on May 12.
In recent years Australia has experienced a shortage of skilled workers, so labor immigration program is constantly expanding. The decision to reduce quotas agreed for the first time in eight years.