Australia’s stalled migrant boom derails golden economic run

The premier of New South Wales, Gladys Berejiklian, (left) is lobbying her federal counterparts to allow international students in to rescue universities, which contribute A$13bil to the economy of the country’s most populous state. On the right is Prime Minister Morrison.

SYDNEY: Australia’s three decades of uninterrupted prosperity are coming to an abrupt end, as the global coronavirus pandemic crashes one of its most lucrative sources of income – immigration.

The country has been successful in managing the outbreak and reopening its A$2 trillion (US$1.33 trillion) economy, thanks in part to an early closure of its borders.