Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has criticised One Nation leader Pauline Hanson over her proposal to slash migration, warning it could exacerbate skilled worker shortages. Speaking to Sky News on Sunday, Albanese accused Hanson of misrepresenting herself to voters, pointing to her party's opposition to wage increases, childcare support, and Medicare expansion.
Hanson's National Press Club Speech
In a speech to the National Press Club on Wednesday, Hanson called for further cuts to overseas migration levels, claiming multiculturalism had failed and blaming housing shortages and infrastructure pressures on arrivals. Net overseas migration added 301,000 people to Australia's population last year, the lowest increase since mid-2022 but still above pre-pandemic rates, sparking renewed criticism from the Coalition and One Nation.
Albanese's Response
Albanese highlighted the contradiction in Hanson's stance: "You can’t say 'we want to stop migration' but not want to upskill Australians to give Australians the skills to fill the jobs so Australian industry can continue to thrive." He noted that One Nation and the Coalition had opposed Labor's tighter restrictions on overseas student enrolments and were campaigning against tax reform and cost-of-living measures.
The prime minister also referenced billionaire Gina Rinehart's gift of a private plane worth over $1.5 million to Hanson, stating: "One Nation pretends that they stand for workers whilst getting planes given to them by Australia’s richest person." Rinehart has been influential in One Nation's policy formulation on welfare, defence, and infrastructure.
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor's Comments
Opposition leader Angus Taylor urged party members not to defect to One Nation, arguing that the party wants to "blow this country up." He said: "The answer right now is not to blow this country up. It is to roll our sleeves up. Have that credible plan; the credible team in place. It’s only the Liberal and National parties that can offer that."
Liberal president Tony Abbott has been calling rank-and-file members to encourage them to stay. Taylor acknowledged voter frustrations but emphasised retaining and attracting members.
Foreign Policy Disagreements
Shadow foreign minister Ted O'Brien criticised Hanson's call to withhold foreign aid from Pacific countries receiving Chinese financial assistance, saying: "The idea that you effectively hold a gun to the head of our Pacific neighbours, that’s not what a friend does." Papua New Guinea's foreign minister Justin Tkatchenko previously labelled Hanson's comments on aid and corruption as "defaming and unnecessary."
O'Brien disagreed with Hanson on multiculturalism but advocated for the Coalition to preference One Nation ahead of the Greens at the next election.
