New data released today shows Labor has no plan to address Australia’s migration crisis.
ABS data published today reveals 1,154,000 permanent and long-term arrivals to Australia over the year to February 2026.
In 2026 we are seeing the highest levels of annual arrivals on record in fifty years (since 1976).
Permanent and long-term departures over the same period were just 675,000 resulting in net permanent and long-term arrivals of 479,000.
Under this Labor Government net permanent and long-term arrivals have risen and been consistently between 400,000-500,000 per annum – and only showing signs of stabilising at this elevated level.
Under the Coalition Government (2013- 2022) net permanent and long-term arrivals were consistently around or below 300,000 per annum.
“These figures confirm what Australians already know: Labor has lost control of our migration program,” Mr Taylor said.
“Numbers are too high, standards are too low, and the national interest has been left behind.
“Australia’s migration system must serve Australians first. That is why the Coalition will put Australian values at the heart of our immigration policy, restoring integrity, strengthening social cohesion, and protecting our way of life.”
“Migration should strengthen our nation, not strain it. We will lower the numbers, lift the standards, and ensure every decision is guided by our values, our interests, and our future prosperity.”
“Labor is not taking responsibility for the broken migration system that is in urgent need of reform,” Senator Duniam said.
“There are too many overstayers and the Government hasn't been able to assure that those coming in are committed to Australian values. On top of that, the Government is not building enough houses or adequately expanding our services to keep up with demand.”
“The system has to be more targeted than what we have seen under this Government. They have to do better so that current and future Australians can enjoy a standard of living that should be expected in our country.”
The Coalition’s Australian Values Migration Plan will protect Australians’ way of life and restore integrity to our migration system.
Our plan will lift standards and reduce numbers to ensure migration serves Australia’s national interest by:
Putting Australian Values First – placing Australian values at the centre of our migration laws and ensuring our system always prioritises Australians.
Shutting the Door to System Abuse – cracking down on unfounded asylum claims and preventing people from remaining in Australia illegally.
Showing a Red Light to Radicals – strengthening security screening to stop terrorist sympathisers and high-risk individuals from entering our country.
A Coalition Government will also enshrine Australian values in law by making adherence to the Australian Values Statement a binding condition of every visa.