Key facts
- One Nation's official policy website lists a cap of 130,000 visas per year.
- Barnaby Joyce stated the 130,000 figure is a net overseas migration (Nom) cap.
- Pauline Hanson confirmed the 130,000 figure is a Nom target but excludes Pacific labour workers.
- Malcolm Roberts suggested 'net negative migration' while also referencing a 130,000 cap.
- The party's policy ambiguity is described as a potential political tactic.
One Nation's immigration policy, a cornerstone of its recent popularity, has become a subject of confusion due to conflicting statements from party figures. While the party's official website indicates a cap of 130,000 visas annually, interpretations of this figure vary significantly among its leaders.
Barnaby Joyce, who defected from the Nationals to One Nation, stated that 130,000 represents the net overseas migration (Nom) cap. However, Senator Malcolm Roberts, in an interview, appeared to support 'net negative migration' while also referencing the 130,000 cap, leading to further ambiguity about whether more people would enter than leave the country.
Pauline Hanson further complicated the messaging by stating that the 130,000 figure is a Nom target but does not include Pacific labour workers, such as those in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (Palm) scheme. She indicated that more than 130,000 migrants would be allowed annually, emphasizing the necessity of these workers for sectors like agriculture and meat processing.
This lack of clarity makes it difficult for voters to ascertain the party's true immigration stance. Analysts suggest that this ambiguity, whether intentional or not, could serve as a political tactic for One Nation, appealing to its more hardline supporters.