One Nation criticized over migration targets
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
One Nation MP David Farley said its migration target was about 230,000, near Labor's 225,000. Party leader Pauline Hanson insists the target is 130,000, calling Farley's remarks a mistake.
Background
One Nation, a right-wing Australian party, has been rising in polls. Its new MP David Farley told ABC's Insiders that the party's net overseas migration target was about 230,000, including additional temporary workers, which is close to Labor's forecast of 225,000 by 2027-28. This contradicted leader Pauline Hanson's stated target of 130,000, prompting a clarification and criticism from rivals.
How it unfolded
- May 2026David Farley wins the seat of Farrer for One Nation.
- Aug 23, 2026Farley tells ABC Insiders that One Nation's net migration target is about 230,000, including extra temporary workers, sparking confusion.
- Aug 23, 2026Pauline Hanson posts on social media that One Nation's policy is to cut net overseas migration to 130,000, saying Farley's comments were wrong.
- Aug 24, 2026Barnaby Joyce says Farley made a 'rookie mistake' and that there won't be an extra 100,000 on top of the 130,000 target. Liberal senator James Paterson says One Nation is 'all over the shop' on migration.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Pauline Hanson insists One Nation's net overseas migration target is 130,000, not 230,000 as claimed by MP David Farley.
- Party
- Barnaby Joyce says Farley made a rookie mistake and the party's target remains 130,000, not an additional 100,000.
- Critics
- Liberal senator James Paterson says One Nation is 'all over the shop' on migration and 'falls down on the details', making them unfit to govern.
Still unverified
Farley's claim that One Nation would allow an additional 100,000 migrant workers is disputed by Hanson and Joyce, who say the target is 130,000. The exact composition of the 130,000 target is not fully detailed.