Australia has never driven migration into reverse by design. Would slamming the brakes on be calamitous?

Australia is considering an unprecedented shift in its migration policy, aiming to reduce net overseas migration—a move that would mark a departure from its long-standing history as an immigrant nation. Such a reversal has only occurred during major crises like economic collapses, wars, or pandemics, raising questions about the underlying motivations behind the proposal. The discussion comes amid political debates, with some factions framing migration as a central issue, though the proposed approach diverges from traditional approaches. The potential implications for Australia’s demographic and economic future remain a key point of contention.

Australia does have a migration challenge – but it’s not what One Nation and the Coalition think it isGet our new political email, free app or daily news podcastAustralia is flirting with the idea of something it has never done: deliberately driving net overseas migration into reverse.In the history of our immigrant nation, extended periods of more people leaving our shores than arriving have only happened during convulsive moments: economic collapses, wars, and pandemics.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s Politics, really newsletter here Continue reading...