A significant majority of Australian voters believe the nation's immigration intake should be halted until the housing market can recover, according to a revealing new poll. The survey highlights deep public concern over the strain placed on housing, health, and education services by current migration levels.
Public Sentiment on Immigration and Housing
The Resolve Political Monitor, conducted for The Age between December 2 and 7, surveyed 1,800 voters. It found that 53 per cent of respondents considered the current immigration intake to be 'too high'. Among this group, a striking 81 per cent cited a lack of available and affordable housing as their primary reason.
The second most common concern, raised by those who view immigration as excessive, was the excessive pressure on essential public services. Voters pointed to significant strains on the health and education systems as a direct consequence of current migration numbers.
Australia's current annual migration intake stands at 316,000 people, with 185,000 permanent visas granted each year. Only 4 per cent of those polled believed the intake was 'too low', while 33 per cent said it was 'about right' and 10 per cent were undecided.
Political Fallout and Shifting Support
The poll delivered stark news for the opposition Coalition, whose primary vote support has plummeted to a record low of 26 per cent. This decline follows weeks of internal party conflict, largely centred on the now-discarded net-zero emissions target.
In contrast, the Labor Party secured 35 per cent of the primary vote. In a two-party preferred contest, Labor holds a convincing lead over the Coalition at 55 to 45 per cent, marking a two per cent swing to Labor since November.
The minor party One Nation achieved a record high of 14 per cent in primary vote support. In a bid to win back voters, the Coalition is set to unveil its new migration policy this week.
Leadership Approval Ratings
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese remains the preferred leader, chosen by 41 per cent of voters compared to just 26 per cent for Deputy Liberal Leader Sussan Ley. Albanese's personal approval rating also saw an uptick, with 48 per cent rating his performance as good or very good—a four per cent increase from the previous month.
Interestingly, despite the Coalition's overall slump, Sussan Ley's personal approval rating experienced a five-point rise to 39 per cent. This suggests a complex relationship between party fortunes and perceptions of individual leaders.
The poll results underscore a clear public demand for policy that directly addresses the interconnected challenges of immigration levels, housing affordability, and public service capacity. With housing supply a paramount concern for voters, pressure is mounting on all major parties to present credible solutions.
