Calls to cut immigration in Australia have become a unifying issue, with overwhelming support for dramatic reductions crossing party lines, states, and language groups.<\/p>\n
The inaugural Sky News Pulse\/YouGov poll, conducted between January 20-27, laid bare the depth of voter frustration with nation\u2019s immigration system.<\/p>\n
Sixty-four per cent of voters wanted lower immigration, compared to just eight per cent favouring either a small or big increase.<\/p>\n
A striking 43 per cent of respondents said Australia needed a \u201cbig cut\u201d to immigration, while 21 per cent called for at least a small decrease.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, 28 per cent of Australians want immigration numbers to remain about the same.<\/p>\n
If political leaders were to follow the will of the voters, it would represent a major shift in the country\u2019s approach to migration.<\/p>\n
The Sky News \/ YouGov poll was conducted with a sample of 1500 voters, and was representative of the voting population by age, gender, region, and income.<\/p>\n
The poll shows that support for cutting immigration was strong across political lines, including the majority of Labor Party voters.<\/p>\n
One Nation voters overwhelmingly backed cuts, with 92 per cent calling for lower immigration, as well as 98 per cent of National Party voters.<\/p>\n
Seventy-four of Liberal Party and 83 per cent of LNP voters supported lowering migration, with minimal support for increases.<\/p>\n
More than half of Labor voters (51 per cent) want immigration reduced, as well as nearly half of Greens supporters (43 per cent).<\/p>\n
The data shows that Australians\u2019 desire for lower immigration was not confined to traditionally conservative voters.<\/p>\n
New South Wales and Victoria, the states home to the largest portion of migrants, both wanted cuts (69 per cent and 57 per cent).<\/p>\n
Even among households speaking a language other than English at home, most voters support lower immigration.<\/p>\n
Overall, 66 per cent of English-only households wanted cuts, along with 51 per cent support among non-English-speaking households.<\/p>\n
The poll underscores that immigration is now one of Australia\u2019s most pressing voter concerns, alongside cost of living, housing affordability, and crime.<\/p>\n
It comes amid a rise in support for One Nation, whose hardline stance on immigration has clearly resonated with the electorate.<\/p>\n
The party polled at 25 per cent nationally, ahead of the Liberal Party on 14 per cent, and even the former Coalition parties vote combined at 20 per cent.<\/p>\n
One Nation\u2019s platform has long called for a reduction in the number of immigrants and for the government being more selective about where they come from.<\/p>\n
Key elements of One Nation\u2019s platform include capping annual immigration at 130,000 across all visas.<\/p>\n
The minor party has also pledged to refuse migrants from countries linked to extreme ideologies and enforce an eight-year waiting period for citizenship and welfare.<\/p>\n
The party has also called for withdrawing from the UN Refugee Convention, arguing that Australia should retain full control over humanitarian intake.<\/p>\n
Under the Albanese government, net overseas migration was forecast to be 260,000 in 2025-26.<\/p>\n
The treasury\u2019s annual population statement recently revised down its forecasts for departures, due to migrants with temporary visas not leaving the country.<\/p>\n