SYDNEY: Australia’s conservative opposition has pledged to make the “largest cut to immigration” in the country’s history if the Liberal-National coalition returns to power, as pressure mounts from the far-right One Nation party over migration levels.
Liberal Party leader Angus Taylor said on Tuesday that a coalition government would reduce net overseas migration to 100,000 a year for its first two years in office, describing the measure as necessary to give Australia “breathing space”.
“Australia should be a home, not a hotel,” Taylor told reporters. Net overseas migration – the net increase or decrease in Australia’s population resulting from people entering and leaving the country – stood at 292,100 in the year to March, according to data released last month.
The opposition also pledged to cut the number of temporary visas issued by 650,000 over four years if it wins the next federal election, which is scheduled for 2028. National Party leader Matt Canavan defended the proposed measures, saying they would help Australians “take back our country”.
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The Liberal-National coalition has governed Australia for much of the post-war period but has fallen to third place in opinion polls amid growing support for One Nation, which has also called for sharp reductions in immigration.
Australia’s ruling Labor Party has likewise promised tougher immigration policies. Last month, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke announced plans to reduce migration by targeting “visa hopping”, tightening rules for international students and working holiday makers, and taking action against visa overstayers.
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson said on Tuesday that both Labor and the Liberals had been “dragged kicking and screaming” into the immigration debate by her party. She argued that Australians could not trust either major party to fulfil its immigration promises.
