Victoria
Major parties warned against immigration race to the bottom
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has warned the major federal parties against competing on restrictive immigration rhetoric.
The federal government is engaged in direct discussions with the federal opposition over future immigration policy, amid strong warnings from South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas about the trajectory of the national debate.
According to a wire report, the South Australian Premier has cautioned major political parties against engaging in what he described as a political race to the bottom on the issue. Mr Malinauskas described the apparent rush to match the immigration rhetoric of minor political forces, such as One Nation, as a form of political madness.
While negotiations between the Labor government and the Coalition opposition are confirmed to be underway, specific details regarding the policy areas under discussion have not yet been made public. It remains unconfirmed what specific changes to migration intake levels, visa categories, or regional processing rules are being debated by the leadership teams in Canberra.
The intervention by Mr Malinauskas highlights growing friction within the political establishment over how to address immigration. Critics of the current debate suggest that reacting to populist platforms risks undermining long-term economic planning, though the federal government has defended its ongoing review of the national migration system.
Neither the federal government nor the opposition has released an official statement detailing the progress of their talks, and neither side has responded directly to the South Australian Premier's criticisms. As a result, the precise areas of agreement or dispute between the major parties remain unclear.
Observers will be watching to see if the federal government and the opposition can reach a formal bipartisan agreement on immigration policy in the coming weeks.
This report draws on original reporting by Wire report.
Dedicated to a Stronger Victoria.
A message from the editor, September
Every story here is free to read. Only readers keep it that way.
We take no government money, run no paywall, and answer to nobody in Spring Street. That independence is paid for by a small number of readers, not the many who benefit from it. If just one in a hundred of today's readers gave $8 a month, our Victorian politics coverage would be funded for the year.
- Funds reporting, not shareholders
- Cancel in one click, anytime
- Supporter badge and reply access
Prefer a one-off? Send a tip. It takes about twenty seconds.