Australia PM Albanese says migration to fall as far-right surges

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced that his government will reduce migration levels, a response to a recent opinion poll indicating a surge in support for the right-wing populist One Nation party. The Newspoll, published in The Australian newspaper, showed One Nation leading the governing Labor party, with 31% support compared to Labor's 30%.

This poll marks the second major survey placing the anti-immigration One Nation party in a leading position. Responding to the poll's findings, Albanese acknowledged the global trend of rising populist parties. He emphasized his commitment to social cohesion as a core element of Australian identity. Australia's population recently reached 28 million.

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We will reduce the net overseas migration over the next couple of years down to 225,000. We think that is the right number.

One Nation has attributed housing shortages to the comparatively high net migration figures in recent years, citing government data of 538,000 net arrivals in 2023, 429,000 in 2024, and a projected 306,000 in 2025. The government, however, explains these higher numbers are a result of a backlog of students and workers entering the country after COVID-19 border closures.

Albanese stated that citizens are struggling with housing affordability and an economy that "isn't working for them." He outlined the government's plan to reduce net overseas migration to 225,000 over the next couple of years, which he considers the appropriate figure. He also affirmed the value of immigrants, noting that people from all over the world are proud to call Australia home, considering them a "national asset."

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The fact that we have people who have come from all over the world, proud to call Australia home, is something that is a national asset for us.