One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has stated she does "not care" if cuts to skilled migration negatively impact Australian businesses. Speaking to News24 (formerly Sky News) on Thursday, August 6th, 2026, Senator Hanson emphasized her focus on preserving a "decent standard of living" and Australia's "way of life."

Hanson's comments come as the Labor government faces backlash over leaked proposals to overhaul immigration policies. Immigration Minister Tony Burke had planned to announce measures restricting partners and children of Australian citizens from applying for family visas on-shore and to limit working holiday visas, though the speech was later shelved.

The Australian Chamber of Commerce warned such changes would deter skilled migrants, "undermine" the migration system, and harm the economy.

One Nation has proposed its own immigration plan, aiming to reduce immigration to 130,000 places annually, deport 75,000 visa overstayers, refuse migrants from "nations known to foster extremist ideologies," and withdraw from the UN Refugee Convention.

In the interview, Senator Hanson said she wants to revise the skilled migration list to prioritize professions such as doctors, nurses, and engineers who would "benefit our country." She also distinguished tourists as holding a different visa category.

Although One Nation has not detailed which countries it would exclude, except for Gaza, Hanson previously stated she did not believe there were any "good" Muslims.

Sources