PRESSURE is mounting on the Government to slash the immigration intake next year as the global meltdown is tipped to push up unemployment.

Opposition immigration spokeswoman Sharman Stone yesterday urged the Federal Government to ditch past practice and consider cutting new arrivals before the financial year's end.

This year Australia was due to accept a record 190,000 immigrants for the 12 months to the end of June.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has promised the Government will re-examine the migrant intake in the May Budget, but the Opposition is now pushing for earlier action.

Read more in Brisbane's Courier Mail

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