Wednesday 7 October 2026

Labor has pushed migration beyond what Australia’s housing, hospitals, roads and schools can handle. 

Since Anthony Albanese was elected, Labor has brought around 1.5 million additional migrants to Australia – roughly the population of Adelaide. 

Net overseas migration has added about 1.5 million people since Labor was elected—roughly the population of Adelaide. 

Shadow Minister for Regional Health and Regional Communications Anne Webster said Mallee families were already paying the price. 

“No rental. No affordable home. Weeks waiting for a doctor. That is what uncontrolled migration looks like in Mallee,” Dr Webster said. 

The Australia-First Migration Plan will cut net overseas migration to 100,000 a year for two years, then about 160,000 by year four. 

It will cut temporary visa holders by about 650,000 over four years and cap permanent migration at 185,000 places a year. 

“The rule is simple: migration numbers Australia can handle, skills Australia needs and standards Australians expect,” Dr Webster said. 

Higher-skilled migrants, skilled partners and employer-sponsored workers will be prioritised. Tougher income, age, English and work standards will apply. New Skilled Project Visas will target genuine shortages. 

Temporary Graduate Visas will end. International student migration will fall. Temporary visa rules will tighten. 

Working Holiday Maker visas will be restored with no ballot nor cap.  Regional communities understand how important this visa is.  In addition the Coalition will bring back the Ag Visa which we introduced in 2022 and Labor repealed in September 2022.  

‘I have fought strongly for the return of the Ag Visa and we will bring it back in 2029 under a Taylor Canavan ogovernment.

The plan cuts migration, lifts the skills mix and adds nothing to the Budget. 

“Labor has lost control. We will take it back—fewer arrivals, higher standards and Australia’s interests first.”