One Nation leader Pauline Hanson is navigating internal divisions after a party MP presented a version of the party's immigration policy that appeared to contradict its stated goals. The confusion arose when lower house MP David Farley outlined a third iteration of One Nation's immigration plan in recent weeks, leading to conflicting explanations from senior party figures.
Farley, the Member for Farrer, stated on ABC's Insiders that One Nation's policy would effectively allow annual migration levels of approximately 230,000 people. He clarified that the party supports a net overseas migration (NOM) target of 130,000, but argued that major worker programs should be considered separately from what he termed 'true NOM'. Farley indicated that programs such as the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, aged-care nurses, and technical worker schemes could add about 100,000 migrants annually.
"What we're doing is we're focusing on the NOM in its true form, and then we've got these programs that have (also) been available now for over a decade, that drive our economy," Farley said. He acknowledged that this combined figure was similar to the Labor government's migration forecasts, stating, "The raw number's not too different."
Hanson moved swiftly to counter Farley's interpretation, issuing a statement to reaffirm that One Nation's policy remains a NOM target of 130,000. She specified that these cuts would be achieved through fewer international students and dependants, a significant reduction in temporary graduate visas and their dependants, and a more targeted skilled migration program. Hanson also noted that short-term seasonal agricultural workers would not be counted in NOM as they do not meet the Australian Bureau of Statistics residency test and return home after their work periods.
"One Nation's target is less than half Labor's current level," Hanson stated, accusing the Labor government of opening the floodgates to mass migration. "Australians are living with the consequences. Homes are less affordable, emergency departments are overwhelmed, roads are more congested and essential services are stretched beyond capacity."
Minister for Home Affairs Chris Bowen commented that NOM cannot simply be redefined and suggested Farley was comfortable with the government's approach. "I'm not sure what campaign One Nation's going to run on migration if they're effectively backing in what the Albanese government is doing," Bowen told reporters.
Opposition immigration spokesman Jonno Duniam called for a clear explanation of One Nation's policy, emphasizing the real-world consequences of migration numbers on housing, infrastructure, services, wages, and jobs. He questioned the party's ability to answer basic questions about its immigration proposals.
Opinion polls indicate that voters trust One Nation to manage migration more than the two major parties. The federal budget forecasts NOM to fall to 225,000 per year from 2027-28, down from current levels tracking above 300,000. The Albanese government is preparing a migration package to bring figures closer to budget projections.
This incident follows a pattern of contradictory statements from One Nation figures regarding migration. Earlier in the month, Hanson stated a desire for NOM at "about 130,000," and MP Barnaby Joyce also indicated the 130,000 figure applied to net migration, not overall visa numbers. These statements marked a shift from the party's official website, which previously promised to cut immigration by over 570,000 people from current Labor levels by capping visas at 130,000 annually. The party has also previously advocated for more drastic reductions, with Hanson calling for the deportation of 100,000 people and arguing for net-negative migration.
Farley's own past statements have also shown ambiguity on the issue. In May, he called for Australia to "slash immigration" to reduce housing demand, while during the Farrer by-election campaign, he suggested migration levels above 300,000 were "probably not" too high.