Nationals urge lower migration to combat One Nation
Nationals say frustrated Australians want immigration cut as anger among voters continues to fuel support for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation.
New polls have shown the right-wing party moving ahead of Labor as the coalition continues to lose ground with voters.
Pointing out that economic problems lie behind the rise of populism, Anthony Albanese warned about the potential for political violence.
Calling for a “united” Australia on Monday, the prime minister vowed to reduce the country’s immigration intake.
National Leader Matt Canavan said people felt like they were going backwards economically.
“These polls show that people are very frustrated and angry that their elected representatives are not listening to them,” he told Sky News on Tuesday.
“There are very clear demands from people right now, people want immigration to decrease.
“They want the government to focus on the cost of living, focus on lowering interest rates and getting spending under control.”
Environment Minister Murray Watt said the government was responding to voters’ concerns through measures such as tax reform included in the May budget.
“We know there are a lot of Australians out there doing it hard and they are sending a message to the major parties that they want us to do better, they want things to change,” he told Nine’s Today.
The coalition opposes the government’s controversial changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax.
It comes as Labor appeals to its supporters to donate up to $27 for social media ads targeting One Nation as support for the minor party grows.
The Australian News Poll showed One Nation’s preselection vote rising by four points to 31 per cent, ahead of Labor, which fell one point to 30 per cent.
Support for the coalition declined further; this poll shows a two-point drop to 18 percent.
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