Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has criticised One Nation leader Pauline Hanson's proposal to slash migration, warning it could worsen skilled worker shortages, as both Labor and the Coalition push back against her policies. Speaking on Sunday, Albanese accused Hanson of misrepresenting herself to voters by claiming to stand for workers while accepting donations from billionaires like Gina Rinehart.
Albanese Attacks One Nation's Record
During an appearance on Sky News, Albanese highlighted that One Nation opposes measures that benefit working people, such as increases to the minimum wage, support for childcare, and free TAFE programs. He argued that cutting migration without upskilling Australians would harm industry. "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," Albanese said.
Hanson, in a speech to the National Press Club on Wednesday, 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, according to official data.
Coalition Warns Against Defections
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor urged Liberal and National Party members not to defect to One Nation, arguing the party wants to "blow this country up." Taylor acknowledged voter frustrations but said the answer is a credible plan from the Coalition. "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," Taylor told Sky News on Sunday.
Liberal Party President Tony Abbott has been calling rank-and-file members to discourage them from leaving. Taylor said Abbott is doing a great job energising the membership and retaining those who are frustrated.
Foreign Policy Criticised
Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Ted O'Brien dismissed Hanson's call to withhold foreign aid from Pacific countries receiving Chinese financial assistance, saying it is not how a friend behaves. "The idea that you effectively hold a gun to the head of our Pacific neighbours, that's not what a friend does. That's not a way of building trust," O'Brien told ABC TV's Insiders program.
Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko had previously criticised Hanson for linking aid to corruption in PNG, calling her statements "defaming and unnecessary." O'Brien also disagreed with Hanson's views on multiculturalism but advocated for the Coalition to preference One Nation ahead of the Greens at the next election.
Comment was sought from One Nation but not received by publication.
