'Incorrect': Joyce steps in on party's migration target

Barnaby Joyce, a prominent Australian politician, has come to the defense of one of his fellow One Nation MPs, David Farley, after Farley made comments about the party's migration policy. Farley suggested that the party's migration numbers would not be much different from Labor's, with an additional 100,000 people annually. However, this figure was quickly corrected by party leader Pauline Hanson, who stated that One Nation's policy remains to reduce net overseas migration to 130,000 people.

Joyce, in an interview on Monday, dismissed Farley's comments as a simple "misspeak," stating that it is not uncommon for new politicians to make mistakes. He emphasized that he would not throw anyone under the bus, especially considering that he himself has made mistakes in the past. Joyce reiterated that One Nation's policy on migration would remain at 130,000 people annually.

Federal Minister Pat Conroy criticized the differing stances on migration policy within One Nation, suggesting that the party was not fit to govern. He argued that the party's lack of coherence on the issue demonstrated a lack of credibility. Immigration Minister Tony Burke was set to deliver a speech at the National Press Club, outlining a change to Australia's migration numbers, but the address was canceled at the last minute due to internal disagreements over the policy.

The rise of One Nation in opinion polls has prompted both Labor and the coalition to reconsider their migration policies. Conroy declined to provide a specific number for the revised Labor policy, stating that it would be crucial to get the answer right rather than a quick one. He emphasized the importance of accuracy in discussing migration numbers, given the complexity and ongoing debate surrounding the issue.

Current migration numbers stand at approximately 301,000, with the coalition not yet specifying its own migration policy numbers. Instead, they have stated that these numbers would be linked to the completion of new housing projects. Opposition frontbencher Andrew Bragg had previously suggested capping overseas migration at 180,000, but his proposal received a rebuke from party leadership.

Coalition Home Affairs spokesman Jonathan Duniam indicated that the opposition's migration numbers would not be revealed until closer to the next federal election, which is scheduled for May 2028. Duniam stressed the need to strike the right balance, as an insufficient number of workers with the necessary skills would be detrimental to the country's overall well-being.