The NSW Farmers Federation has told the Western Plains App that Australia should not be reducing its permanent migration cap.

It comes as Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton continues to call for a cut to permanent migration by 25%.

A crackdown on permanent migration, foreign property buys and international students was the centerpiece of Mr Dutton's budget reply in mid-May.

Mr Dutton promised to cut the permanent migration by 25% from 185,000 to 140,000 for the first two years, followed by 150,000 then 160,000 in the next two, a cumulative reduction of 150,000 over four years.

Last Wednesday Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor re-affirmed the policy.

Image: ABC.

However, with growing skills and workers shortages across rural and regional Australia, his announcement has not been met with universal praise.

Now the NSW Farmers Association has said it does not support any reductions in skilled or worker migration to Australia.

NSW Farmers Head of Workplace Relations, Gracia Kusuma told the Western Plains App “It is crucial to have both the temporary and permanent skilled visas be available to attract and bring in skilled workers to where they’re needed in Australia – and so it’s imperative we don’t reduce the permanent migration cap for skilled workers coming in under these visas to support the agriculture sector.”

Gracia Kusuma. Image: Supplied.

“Drivers, mechanics, machinery operators, veterinarians and a whole other range of skilled workers are in short supply within in the agricultural industry" she argued.

“Alongside more seasonal labor, the agricultural sector also needs more skilled workers who want to live and work in rural and regional Australia."

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton told the Western Plains App that he is a "big fan of migration" but that it needs to be "well-managed".

Image: ABC

"The Parkes electorate in particular has greatly benefitted from skilled migrants who have helped fill workforce shortages in our rural towns, as well as those seasonal agricultural jobs" he said.

"Amidst a housing crisis, these record numbers of migration are putting the aspiration of home ownership out of reach for too many Australians, while finding somewhere to rent is becoming increasingly difficult throughout the Parkes electorate".

He said that a result of this, the Coalition would "free up almost 40,000 homes" in the first year and well over 100,000 in the next five years.