Australia's One Nation party has reignited debate over its hardline stance on immigration after Senator Malcolm Roberts unveiled plans for the "remigration" of up to 200,000 individuals currently residing in the country. The proposal, which far exceeds the party's official policy, would target temporary residents and international students deemed to be in contravention of their visa conditions or who have overstayed their permits.
The senator detailed plans to remove 100,000 temporary residents and an additional 100,000 international students who are considered to be in breach of their visa regulations. Speaking on a podcast in November 2025, he stated, "We would also deport immediately anybody who's here illegally, and that's 100,000 people now… on contravention of their resident visas. That's 100,000 we would deport, remigrate. Call it what you want. Get rid of them straight away." He further added, "Then we've got about an estimated 100,000 international students who are here illegally." These figures significantly surpass One Nation's published policy, which currently commits to deporting 75,000 illegal migrants.
The senator's comments have drawn renewed attention to One Nation's stance on immigration, particularly following party leader Pauline Hanson's recent appearance on an Australian television programme. During the broadcast, Ms Hanson met with Rupert Lowe, leader of the British hard-right party Restore Britain, and expressed agreement with his views on 'mass deportations', stating, "I love it." However, One Nation has consistently refrained from providing concrete details on how such a large-scale deportation policy would be practically implemented.
Experts have cautioned about the immense financial and logistical challenges associated with deporting such a high number of individuals. Abul Rizvi, a former deputy secretary of the Australian immigration department, described the potential cost as "eye-wateringly expensive." He noted that recent data indicated only approximately 2,000 people were apprehended, detained, and deported from Australia last year, with another 6,000 leaving voluntarily. Rizvi warned that any attempt at mass deportations without careful planning could lead to "massive errors and all sorts of problems," including overwhelming court systems.
For British nationals residing or studying in Australia, such proposals could create uncertainty, particularly if they are temporary residents or students. While the focus of One Nation's comments is on those deemed to be in Australia illegally, the broader rhetoric around 'remigration' and mass deportations could contribute to a more stringent immigration environment. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) typically advises British citizens to ensure they comply with local visa regulations.