Australian opposition leader Angus Taylor unveils what he calls 'the largest cut to immigration in Australian history'

From the Newshound archive · first published 6 October 2026 · last updated 7 October 2026.

Coalition leader Angus Taylor has revealed a plan to slash net overseas migration from 300,000 to 100,000 in the first year of a Coalition government — going further than predecessor Peter Dutton's 2025 election promise and beyond even Pauline Hanson's stated bottom line of 130,000. Taylor's plan would reduce temporary visa holders by 650,000 over four years, scrap graduate visas entirely, and halve Australia's humanitarian intake to 10,000 people. All three major political forces — Labor, the Coalition and One Nation — are now competing to cut migration furthest, in a race analysts say has been driven by Hanson's surge in support.

The Coalition would also cut student visas from 528,000 to 456,000 and limit working holiday visa renewals, while creating 15,000 extra skilled visas for major projects.

One Nation goes furthest of all, seeking to cut immigration by 750,000 over three years and push net overseas migration into negative territory.