Labor's migration target comes with a political catch

Labor has formally accepted a migration target of 225,000 net overseas migrants (NOM) as part of its policy, despite concerns about the political implications. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke declared this figure a target during a speech at the National Press Club, signaling a concession to migration debate that had been ongoing for some time.

However, the acceptance of this target has sparked debate about the political ramifications and whether it was a wise move for Labor. Critics argue that setting a specific NOM target could backfire, as there is no guarantee that Labor will benefit politically from meeting this number. Opponents, such as One Nation, have proposed even lower targets, such as 130,000 in three years, making it difficult for Labor to gain any political dividend from hitting the 225,000 target.

Furthermore, the target was arrived at based on observed behavior and government policies, not a desired economic number. This raises questions about whether the target is the best way to address the underlying issues of migration. While Labor seeks to gain control over parts of the migration system, the acceptance of a NOM target may have given legitimacy to the ongoing debate over migration numbers.