Australians are expressing dissatisfaction with the Albanese government’s handling of immigration, as a national debate intensifies over managing the country’s population growth. A recent Resolve Political Monitor survey revealed that one in two voters believes the current rate of permanent migration is excessively high.
The survey, conducted with 1800 voters from September 9 to 13 and a margin of error of 2.3 percent, found that 49 percent of respondents felt the permanent migration level was too high. In contrast, 27 percent considered it “about right,” while a mere 5 percent thought it was too low, leaving 18 percent undecided.
Public Discontent with Immigration Management
Adding to the government’s challenges, 55 percent of voters described its immigration handling as “unplanned and unmanaged,” with only 21 percent believing it was managed carefully. This sentiment arises as Labor recently announced that the permanent migration intake would remain at 185,000 places, excluding visitors, students, and others.
Australia’s population growth, historically between 1 and 2 percent annually, surged after lifting COVID-19 travel bans in 2022, marking the highest growth rate since the 1960s. This spike has fueled debates over housing affordability, employment, and community impacts.
Political Reactions and Public Sentiment
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese acknowledged public unease, defending some anti-immigration protestors as “good people” manipulated by extremist groups. He urged his caucus to address these concerns without alienating constituents.
The debate intensified when Liberal Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price falsely claimed that the government was fast-tracking Indian migrants for electoral gain, a statement she later retracted but refused to apologize for, leading to her removal from the opposition frontbench.
“The immigration debate is undoubtedly responsible for boosting One Nation’s vote. If you’re unhappy with the major parties on the environment, you go to the Greens, and if you’re unhappy about immigration you go to Pauline.”
— Jim Reed, Resolve Pollster
Demographic Insights and Voter Trends
Across various demographics, fewer than 10 percent of voters considered permanent migration too low. Among Labor voters, 39 percent deemed it too high, while 36 percent found it “about right.” A significant 63 percent of Coalition voters shared the sentiment that migration levels were excessive.
Greens voters were the only group largely content with current immigration levels, with 41 percent supporting the target. The poll also indicated a rise in support for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation, climbing to 12 percent, its highest since April 2021.
Broader Concerns and Policy Priorities
Despite the immigration debate, it ranked lower on voters’ list of priorities. When asked about their primary concern, 40 percent cited the cost of living, followed by health and aged care (8 percent), and jobs and wages (7 percent). Only 4 percent prioritized “immigration and refugees,” a decrease from the previous month.
This data underscores the complexity of immigration as a political issue, reflecting broader societal concerns while highlighting the need for strategic policy responses to manage both public sentiment and practical implications of population growth.
