Labor’s Big Australia could see 1.87 million people arrive in the country over five years as Australians continue to struggle with the cost of living and the rental crisis.
Today, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) published its Population Projections, which sets out a possible future if Labor continues with its Big Australia policy.
The ABS modelled “high” Net Overseas Migration (NOM) from 2023 to 2027, which would see an additional 1.87 million people in the country. Even the ABS’s medium projections put migration at almost 1.6 million people over five years.
But the ABS’s “high” assumption could be too conservative for the reality thanks to Labor’s Big Australia by stealth policy. The ABS’s “high” model assumed NOM in 2023 would be 450,000 people, but the data suggests NOM will be over 500,000 people for the year.
Using the high assumptions, migration will add an additional 562,049 to the population of Sydney, 564,180 to Melbourne, 163,428 to Brisbane, 116,671 to Adelaide, 128,907 to Perth, 17,287 to Hobart, 15,552 to Darwin and 30,853 to Canberra.
Labor says they don’t want a Big Australia but judge them on their actions, not their words. Under Labor’s Big Australia, Australia is now home to:
• A record 664,178 students — up 306,259 since Labor were elected.
• A record 717,718 New Zealanders — up 57,757.
• A record 354,321 temporary workers – up 196,943.
• 193,277 temporary graduates — up 96,188.
Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Dan Tehan said Labor always made a mess out of immigration.
“Australians who can’t find a place to live or are struggling to pay multiple rent increases will be asking Labor: where will all these people live?” Mr Tehan said.
“Labor says they don’t want a big Australia but judge them by their actions, not their words.
“Under Labor, Australia is experiencing record numbers of temporary visa holders, record numbers of international students, record numbers of failed asylum seekers and more people on Covid work visas than during the Covid pandemic.
“The Australian people know that every person that arrives in this country needs a place to live, and the experts agree that Labor’s Big Australia is driving the housing and rental crisis.”
• “The most sensible solution is a short-term reduction in migration to release some pressure in the economy, to give homeowners and renters a break and to buy some time to allow our housing infrastructure to catch up with demand.” Qualitas Group Managing Director Andrew Schwartz 21/11/23.
• “That is an enormous adjustment for an economy to bring in 500,000-600,000 people. If they’re in family groups … we’re talking about another 200,000 homes. No wonder we’ve got rental shortages in Australia.” Former Treasurer Peter Costello, 13/11/23.
• “Immigration is a really big driver of housing demand, and from our perspectives, from one of the largest providers of home loans in the market, it’s a material driver.” ANZ chief executive Shayne Elliott 13/11/23.
• “Strong population growth has added to demand for rental properties, particularly in major cities.” Reserve Bank of Australia 9/11/23.
