Who really wants a ‘Big Australia’? Ignore the slogans, look at the evidence

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Federal

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Who really wants a ‘Big Australia’? Ignore the slogans, look at the evidence Advertisement

Debates about immigration have long shaped Australian politics. Often the debate is framed around the notion of a “ Big Australia ”. These discussions have intensified since the pandemic, as volatility in arrivals and departures and concerns about housing, infrastructure, and wages brought migration policy back into focus.

Much of this debate rests on misconceptions – such as the belief that Labor backs a “Big Australia” while the Coalition is tough on migration. Analysis by the ANU Migration Hub shows that while both major parties have influenced policy, long-term growth in migration – especially temporary migration – has been driven more by Coalition gov