Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has accused the Albanese government of failing to reduce migration despite its long-awaited overhaul targeting visa hopping, international students and temporary migrants.
Mr Taylor said the changes announced by Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke did not amount to a meaningful reduction in migration.
The latest figures show net overseas migration reached 292,100 in the year to March 31, down 5.6 per cent from the previous year but still above Labor’s long-term target of 225,000 a year.
Mr Taylor said the government had created expectations of a major migration reset but had failed to deliver cuts to the overall intake.
“There were no cuts,” Mr Taylor told News24 host Peta Credlin on Thursday.
“This is the important point. This big hoopla, this is the second attempt he (Mr Burke) has made at his press club speech. Clearly, they couldn’t come to an agreement which is why he cancelled the first one.”
Mr Burke had originally been due to deliver his migration speech in August before cancelling it.
He eventually used his National Press Club address to outline measures targeting visa hopping, international students, working holiday-makers and unlawful non-citizens.
The government has kept its long-term NOM target at 225,000.
But Mr Taylor argued the latest figure showed the government was still well above that level.
“In fact, we know that there’s been an increase in the immigration numbers because it’s been revealed this week that they had a number of 13,750 for the humanitarian visa, that’s now 20,000,” he said.
“So, it’s actually gone up.
“And it’s worse than you just said, because their original target was 260,000, they’re now at 292,000.
“Not only are the numbers too high, but they’re also failing to meet their own targets.”
The ABS figures show 557,500 migrant arrivals and 265,400 departures in the year to March 31, producing net overseas migration of 292,100.
Australia’s population reached 27.9 million after growing by 1.4 per cent over the year.
Mr Taylor also focused on the government’s approach to national security and migration, arguing the overhaul should have included stronger measures dealing with foreign criminals and extremist figures.
Credlin raised concerns about the number of young people in deradicalisation programs and the government’s response to terrorism risks.
Mr Taylor said the migration package had failed to address those concerns.
“It was a massive omission,” he said.
“They took apart the Home Affairs Intelligence Unit, which was designed to ensure people who do not share our values, and of course that includes Islamist extremists, do not get into the country, and people on those visas are sent away.
“And this government has dissembled all of that.”
The Coalition has called for migration to be reduced but has not settled on a specific long-term NOM target.
Labor’s previous budget forecast NOM at 260,000 for 2025-26 and 225,000 for 2026-27. Those forecasts were subsequently revised upwards to about 295,000 and 245,000 respectively.
Mr Taylor said the government needed to go further if it wanted to bring migration back towards its long-term target.
The comments came as the migration debate continues to intensify, with the government facing pressure over the post-pandemic increase in migration and the size of Australia’s temporary migrant population.
Mr Burke has rejected claims Australia is experiencing mass migration, arguing the country remains below population projections made before the pandemic.
He has also acknowledged the post-pandemic surge was too high.