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Labor faces One Nation on immigration
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
One Nation proposes cutting net migration to 130,000 a year. Labor projects 225,000 by 2027-28, sparking a political clash.
Background
Australia's net overseas migration hit a record 556,000 in 2023 after COVID-19, fueling housing shortages and service pressures. Labor has moved to tighten restrictions, projecting a fall to 225,000 by 2027-28, while One Nation proposes a much lower cap of 130,000. The debate has become a major political issue, with parties positioning themselves on migration levels.
How it unfolded
- 2023Net overseas migration reached a record high of 556,000 under Labor.
- Jun 2026Pauline Hanson said Australia must be a 'monocultural society', blaming high migration for loss of national identity.
- Thu, 13 Aug 2026One Nation confirmed its plan to cap net migration at 130,000 per year; Labor's Penny Wong criticized Hanson's 'monoculture' comment as a 'melancholic fantasy'.
Who’s saying what
- One Nation
- One Nation argues for a significant cut to migration to 130,000 per year, claiming it would reduce pressure on housing and services.
- Labor
- Labor projects a reduction to 225,000 by 2027-28 and criticizes One Nation's stance as harmful to social cohesion and national interest.
- Experts
- Migration experts warn against blaming migrants for housing shortages, noting migrant workforces are essential for building housing.
- Coalition
- The Coalition is divided, with some distancing from a frontbencher's proposal to slash migration, while others consider backing One Nation's policy.
Still unverified
One Nation's exact definition of its 130,000 target (temporary vs permanent) remains unclear, as noted by ABC News.