One Nation Unveils Plan to Cut Temporary Migrants by 750,000
One Nation's immigration policy has been unveiled by party leader Pauline Hanson, calling for a reduction of 750,000 temporary migrants in Australia over three years. This plan would see the temporary migrant population return to levels seen in 2017 and international student numbers drop back to 2015 levels.
The proposal also includes deporting an estimated 75,000 unlawful non-citizens within three months or facing a lifetime ban, as well as giving visa overstayers this same timeframe to leave the country. Additionally, visas would be capped at 130,000 per year, reducing migration by more than 570,000 compared to current Labor levels.
Business groups have expressed concerns over the policy, with the Business Council of Australia warning that it could worsen skills shortages and exacerbate a projected $140 billion annual revenue-expenditure gap by 2060. The National Farmers Federation also stated that agriculture needs 'a couple of hundred thousand' working holiday makers annually.
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor questioned the arithmetic behind the plan, noting that One Nation's numbers had shifted within days. Labor ministers Murray Watt and Mark Butler criticized the policy as economically destructive and said it would drive the Australian economy into recession.