Amid claims of ‘mass migration’, Labor hopes a measured approach will take the hot air out of the debate
News Source
•Thu, 17 Sep 2026 15:00:53 GMT
📰 What Happened
Home affairs minister Tony Burke spoke at the National Press Club. He said Labor will make its current migration policy work better instead of cutting numbers sharply. He will not announce a big drop in migrants.
Burke said promises to slash migration would trash Australian services and trash the Australian economy. Big business groups backed his message.
🔍 The Backstory
Australia's population grew quickly after borders reopened from the pandemic. That pushed up rents and house prices, and some voters are unhappy about it.
Some politicians, including One Nation, want much lower migration numbers. Labor says it wants to bring in workers only where the country really needs them.
🎯 Why It Matters
Migration affects jobs, rents and who lives in your town. This debate decides how many new people come and which workers Australia lets in.
Home affairs minister Tony Burke spoke at the National Press Club. He said Labor will make its current migration policy work better instead of cutting numbers sharply. He will not announce a big drop in migrants.
Burke said promises to slash migration would trash Australian services and trash the Australian economy. Big business groups backed his message.
Australia's population grew quickly after borders reopened from the pandemic. That pushed up rents and house prices, and some voters are unhappy about it.
Some politicians, including One Nation, want much lower migration numbers. Labor says it wants to bring in workers only where the country really needs them.
Migration affects jobs, rents and who lives in your town. This debate decides how many new people come and which workers Australia lets in.