Albanese overrules Burke, scraps planned refugee intake cut

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke's office announced Australia's annual refugee intake would drop from 20,000 to 13,750 places — a cut of roughly one-third — in 2027-28. Within 48 hours, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese overruled him, confirming the reduction would not proceed and guaranteeing no cut in the next financial year. The reversal sparked anger inside Labor's own ranks; the party's left faction claimed credit.