One Nation MP admits party's migration target similar to Labor's when workers included

One Nation MP David Farley has conceded the minor party's net migration target is not significantly different from Labor's when essential workers are included. Farley argued that skilled workers, backpackers, and labor from the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme are crucial for industries like agriculture and aged care.

Appearing on ABC's Insiders, Farley stated that One Nation's net overseas migration (NOM) target remains 130,000. However, he clarified that this figure excludes categories such as PALM workers, skilled migrants, and backpackers. He suggested that a minimum of 100,000 additional workers would be necessary to fill critical roles, including approximately 40,000 PALM workers and 70,000 skilled workers like aged care nurses.

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The raw number is not too different [to the government’s], but the reality is, where do we need them? We don’t need them in the great urban metroplex. We need them out to be productive, working in agriculture, engineering, mining.

Farley emphasized that the key difference lies in the intended placement of these migrants. "We don't need them in the great urban metroplex. We need them out to be productive, working in agriculture, engineering, mining," he said. This stance contrasts with the broader government approach and highlights the party's struggle to articulate a cohesive migration policy.

The Australian government is reportedly preparing to implement changes to its migration system to meet NOM targets. The forecast NOM is expected to drop to 245,000 people in 2026-27 and 225,000 in 2027-28, down from 301,000 in the last financial year. The opposition has indicated its target will be below 200,000.

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A minimum of 100 [thousand additional migrant workers], but the 130,000 [target] is what we call the true Nom.