Share Share on Twitter The Prime Minister has defended the biggest single cost-cutting decision in the budget, which forces new migrants to wait four years before accessing most government welfare payments. Mr Morrison on Wednesday told SBS News the policy was "consistent with decisions" the government had made in the past. According to the budget papers the government will save $671 million over five years by applying the four-year Newly Arrived Resident’s Waiting Period to anyone granted permanent residency in Australia from 1 January next year. READ MORE The duration of the waiting period to receive welfare payments previously depended on a migrant’s situation and visa type, but the new measure brings most government subsidies and visa classes in line with the current four-year wait to access JobSeeker, Austudy, and youth allowance payments.