One Nation MP David Farley has conceded that the minor party's net migration target is "not too different" from Labor's, echoing a previous claim for which he was counselled by party leader Pauline Hanson.
Appearing on the ABC's Insiders program on Sunday, Farley argued that skilled workers and backpackers are crucial for Australia's food supply and should be considered separately from migration "in its true form." He stated that One Nation's net overseas migration (Nom) target remains 130,000, but this figure does not include skilled workers, backpackers, or Pacific and Timor-Leste labour under the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (Palm) scheme.
Farley indicated that there should be room for a "minimum" of 100,000 additional people in the migration target to ensure critical industries have sufficient workers. This includes approximately 40,000 Palm workers and 70,000 skilled workers, such as aged care nurses. He emphasised the party's focus on the types of skills needed and where migrants are required, particularly in agriculture, engineering, and mining, rather than in urban areas.
The Nom, which excludes short-term visitors, is forecast by the government to drop to 245,000 in 2026-27 and 225,000 in 2027-28. The Albanese government is preparing to announce changes to the migration system to meet its Nom targets.