One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has launched a fresh attack on the Albanese Government’s migration policy, accusing Labor of preparing to bring another one million people to Australia over the next four years.
Hanson’s comments come as Immigration Minister Tony Burke prepares to outline Labor’s revised approach to migration, with the Government expected to retain a net overseas migration target of around 225,000 people a year.
“Tony Burke isn’t cutting migration. He is doubling down on bringing in another million people over the next four years,” Hanson said.
“Labor is lying again.”
Hanson claimed the Government had repeatedly failed to meet its own migration forecasts since coming to office, pointing to a series of figures she said demonstrated repeated blowouts.
She cited an October 2022 forecast of 235,000 against a reported outcome of 538,000, a May 2023 forecast of 315,000 against 429,000, and a May 2024 forecast of 260,000 against 306,000.
Hanson also criticised changes to the Government’s migration projections in 2025. “You just cannot trust Labor,” she said.
“Four budgets. Four promises. Four blowouts.”
Hanson said the issue was not simply the size of the migration numbers but their impact on Australians facing housing and rental pressures.
“And the highest immigration levels in Australia’s recorded history.”
Hanson claimed Labor’s migration increase since taking office was “almost the size of Tasmania” and accused the Government of contributing to rising rents, weaker wage growth and difficulties for younger Australians trying to buy homes. “They already brought in 1.5 million in four years,” Hanson said.
“That’s why your rent exploded, your pay went backwards, and your kids can’t buy a home.”
She also linked migration to pressure on hospitals and other public services. “Labor’s immigration policy has overwhelmed Australia and sent us backwards,” she said.
“Enough is enough. This lying Labor government has got to go.”
The attack comes as Burke prepares to deliver a major speech on immigration after postponing a planned National Press Club address last week.
Government sources have indicated that Labor is not planning a major cut to its headline migration target.
Instead, the Government is expected to focus on the composition and management of migration, including ensuring migration levels are matched with Australia’s capacity to provide housing, infrastructure and essential services.
The 2026 Federal Budget forecast net overseas migration to increase by an additional 20,000 people in 2026–27 before moderating to around 225,000 a year from 2027 to 2030.
The Government is also expected to place greater emphasis on skilled migration and occupations experiencing workforce shortages.
Reported areas of focus include construction, policing and other sectors where Australia faces significant labour demand.
The Government has already adjusted some visa-processing priorities, giving greater priority to onshore applicants working in areas including law enforcement and defence.
Burke has rejected suggestions that the Government has deliberately slowed partner visa processing to suppress migration numbers, arguing that departmental resources need to be directed towards skills Australia urgently requires.
Hanson has earlier called for annual migration to be capped at 130,000 people — substantially below Labor’s reported target of around 225,000.
One Nation has also advocated tighter controls on who can enter Australia and tougher measures against visa overstayers.
The migration debate is increasingly becoming a major political battleground, with the Coalition also pressing Labor to reduce migration levels amid concerns over housing affordability, infrastructure capacity and population growth.
Labor is expected to argue that the focus should be on ensuring migrants have the skills Australia needs and that population growth is supported by appropriate investment in housing and infrastructure.
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