Labor Marked Down on Migration
· news
Labor Marked Down on Migration as Delayed Visa Shake-Up Approaches
The latest Resolve Political Monitor has exposed the chasm between public opinion and the Albanese government’s handling of immigration. The poll reveals that 54% of respondents mark Labor down for its performance, with a significant majority of Coalition, One Nation, and even Greens supporters sharing this view.
This criticism is not surprising, given the government’s delays in implementing policy changes, including the postponement of Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke’s National Press Club speech. The uncertainty surrounding these changes has fueled public skepticism about Labor’s competence on immigration. However, when asked who is best placed to manage immigration and refugees, 35% of voters opted for One Nation, while 23% backed Labor.
The data also underscores a broader discomfort among Australians with current immigration levels. A significant majority (57%) believe immigration is too high, with only 28% thinking it is about right and just 4% arguing that rates are too low. This shift in public opinion reflects growing concerns about the impact of migration on housing affordability, job security, and community cohesion.
Labor’s decision to proceed with changes to the capital gains tax discount and negative gearing policies takes on added significance in light of these findings. While 35% of respondents back stopping the current 50% discount on capital gains tax payable when investments are sold, a similar number (35%) support restricting negative gearing to new properties only.
The Albanese government’s response to these poll findings has been measured, with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke downplaying concerns about the delay in implementing immigration changes. However, this does little to address public perceptions of Labor’s handling of immigration.
As the government prepares to unveil its revised immigration policy, it would do well to heed the lessons from this poll. The data suggests that Australians want more effective management of migration, greater transparency about policy intentions and outcomes, and a more nuanced approach to addressing housing affordability concerns.
The Resolve Political Monitor has provided a stark reminder of the challenges facing Labor as it seeks to implement its policy agenda. Failure to address the concerns of voters on immigration and housing affordability will have far-reaching consequences for Labor’s electoral prospects. In the short term, Australians can expect continued polarization around these issues.
The fate of Labor’s immigration conundrum hangs in the balance, with the government’s credibility hanging by a thread. Will it be able to recast itself as a champion of effective migration management and housing affordability solutions? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the Albanese government must adapt its approach to address the concerns of a public increasingly wary of its handling of immigration.
Reader Views
- CMColumnist M. Reid · opinion columnist
The Resolve Political Monitor's findings on Labor's immigration performance should serve as a stark warning for the Albanese government: the public has lost patience with delay after delay. While it's tempting to attribute this disaffection solely to Coalition and One Nation supporters, it's clear that even those who might be expected to sympathize with Labor's stance are growing disillusioned. What's striking is the lack of nuance in the debate around immigration levels – Australians aren't just worried about numbers; they're concerned about what those numbers mean for their communities, jobs, and housing security.
- RJReporter J. Avery · staff reporter
The Resolve Political Monitor is clear: Labor's immigration policy is hemorrhaging public trust. But let's not forget that immigration reform is a wicked problem - one that requires balancing competing interests and values. What's striking about these findings is how little attention is being paid to the economic drivers behind migration decisions. Australia's trade relationships, regional security concerns, and even climate change mitigation efforts all influence migration patterns. Until Labor addresses these underlying factors, its policy tweaks will only scratch the surface of this complex issue.
- CSCorrespondent S. Tan · field correspondent
While the Resolve Political Monitor's results are telling, what they don't capture is the human cost of Australia's immigration delay. The Albanese government's indecision on visa shake-ups has left countless families and businesses in limbo. Small to medium-sized enterprises, already struggling with labor shortages, face further uncertainty as potential migrants are deterred by prolonged processing times. If Labor truly wants to reset public trust, it must prioritize swift policy implementation over grandstanding press club speeches.