Politics Now Why immigration is back on the agenda
Dec 19, 2025
The podcast dives deep into the complexities of immigration in Australia, exploring why it remains a hot-button political issue. Historical trends highlight public anger fueled by economic pressures, while recent spikes in migration numbers post-COVID catch attention. The discussion covers the precarious situations faced by those on temporary visas and the economic roles migrants play. The hosts analyze how political narratives shape public perception and debate, emphasizing the impact on policies and electoral strategies.
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Migration Shapes Australia’s Demographics
- Australia’s long-term population growth (~2% annually) has relied heavily on migration to top up the workforce and keep the population younger.
- The rise in temporary visas created “permanent temporariness,” leaving many migrants in precarious limbo for years.
COVID Made Migration Politically Visible
- The COVID border shock caused a sharp fall then surge in migration, making recent changes more visible and politically salient.
- That bumpiness, combined with inflation and housing pressures, fuelled public anger about immigration.
Numbers And Values Intertwine
- Immigration debates mix practical capacity questions (housing, health) with deeper arguments about values and who belongs.
- Political rhetoric often intertwines resource concerns with cultural anxieties about the types of people arriving.