Cutting Immigration & Getting the Balance Right

Australians are doing it tough. One of the biggest reasons is a lack of affordable housing.

Rents are going up. House prices are out of reach. Basic services are under strain. At the same time, migration has surged to record levels. It is far beyond what our housing, infrastructure and communities can absorb.

Under Labor, the immigration system is broken. They have brought in 1.6 million people over four years. They have not built enough houses or hospitals to match.

The Nationals support a strong and targeted migration program that meets Australia’s needs. In government, the Nationals have a proven track record over many decades. We have secured our borders. We stopped the deadly people smuggling trade. We do not support mass migration. It puts Australians last in the housing market. It stretches our services to breaking point.

We will bring migration back to sustainable levels. We will end abuses of the student visa loophole. Population growth must match our ability to provide homes, infrastructure and services.

We will make sure rural industries can still access skilled migration. But not in a way that worsens the housing crisis or weakens our national unity.

Our policies will fix the broken migration system. We will lift the standards and lower the numbers:

• Australian values will be a binding condition of every visa. Break them and you will be deported.
• We will refuse entry to extremists and radicals. Tougher vetting and security checks will happen before any visa is granted.
• We will remove people who overstay illegally. If you are here without a lawful visa, you will be sent home.
• Taxpayer-funded housing schemes will be reserved for Australian citizens.