‘Ugly politics’: Dutton slammed over immigration policy

ABC host Sarah Ferguson took aim at Peter Dutton’s ‘ugly’ immigration policy during a fiery exchange on 7.30.

Peter Dutton has hit back over claims his plan to slash migration and the refugee intake to tackle the housing crisis is “ugly politics” in a fiery interview.

Speaking on the ABC on Thursday night, the Liberal leader repeatedly clashed with 7:30 host Sarah Ferguson over the “tone” of his so-called Australia-first policy to reduce immigration.

“Australia First doesn’t sound like a very Australian-type thing to say,’’ she said.

But the Liberal leader disagreed before taking the ABC broadcaster to task over his plan.

“Well, there are countless families I’ve spoken to, as I’ve gone around the country of every nationality of people who’ve just arrived, people who are second-, third-generation from India or China - they can’t find a house for their child,’’ he said.

ABC Sarah Ferguson took aim at Peter Dutton during a fiery exchange on 7.30.

“For their child who’s in the workforce, working hard, paying taxes, but cannot for love or money buy a house.”

Speaking on the 7:30 program earlier, political editor Laura Tingle said the Liberal leader’s budget-in-reply speech was “very slogan-driven”.

“Basically sort of appealing to all of those real sort of white-hot, very simple ideas of - “We can’t get enough houses. It’s all migration’s fault,’’ she said.

“I think that sort of sets us up for some pretty ugly politics which doesn’t require much rational, you know, detail of policy.”

But Mr Dutton rejected any suggestion that was the case.

“Let’s look at the University of Sydney, for example,’’ host Sarah Ferguson said.

“They made $1.4 billion last year out of international students. Last year alone. 47% of their students on campus are international students. It’s worth pointing that the NAB said last year international students also accounted for more than half of all of Australia’s economic growth. They’re a very important cohort for Australian growth and productivity, aren’t they?”

“They’re a part of it, but we need to house them,’’ Mr Dutton said.

But when the ABC host said overseas student were only 4% of international students actually in the rental market, Mr Dutton hit back.

“Really? Well, where are they living, Sarah?’’ he said.

“I’m not an expert in...housing,’’ she said.

“No, obviously,’’’ he interjected.

BUDGET REPLY

Peter Dutton pledged to slash the migration rate by 140,000 in his budget reply to address the housing shortage on Friday night.

Speaking to MPs in Canberra the Opposition Leader directly linked the number of migrants and overseas students to rising rents while outlining his alternative plan for the nation.

He also promised to tackle knife crime in the wake of a series of shocking attacks across the country and tighten bail laws to address domestic violence.

Mr Dutton accused Mr Albanese of wasting $450 million on the referendum that also “divided the nation”.

“Electricity bills haven’t gone down by $275 as was pledged on 97 occasions – they’ve skyrocketed,’’ he said.

“The Treasurer will give you a $300 rebate, but he knows full well that your annual electricity bills have increased by up to $1,000 since Labor formed the government.”

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton gives his Budget Reply speech. Picture: ABC

MIGRATION AND MORTGAGES

Pledging to get Australia “back on track”, he revealed if elected the Coalition would cut the permanent migration intake to 140,000 and reduce international student numbers to address supply pressures and help free-up 100,000 homes for Australians.

“Interest rates have gone up 12 times under Labor. A typical Australian household with a mortgage is $35,000 worse off,’’ he said.

“And that’s if you’re lucky enough to own a home.

“Under this Prime Minister, the great Australian dream of home ownership has turned into a nightmare.

“Even finding somewhere to rent is near impossible.”

Mr Dutton said the government had brought in an additional 923,000 migrants in just two years. But on the available data, it has only built 265,000 homes.

The Albanese government this week decreased the permanent migration intake from 190,000 this financial year to 185,000 in 2024-25.

“We believe that by rebalancing the migration program and taking decisive action on the housing crisis, the Coalition would free up more than 100,000 additional homes over the next five years,’’ Mr Dutton said.

“First, we will implement a two-year ban on foreign investors and temporary residents purchasing existing homes in Australia.

“Second, we will reduce the permanent migration program by 25 per cent – from 185,000 to 140,000 for the first two years in recognition of the urgency of this crisis.”

Rents have soared since the pandemic. (Photo by Jenny Evans/Getty Images)

SUPER FOR HOMES

Mr Dutton said the great Australian aspiration of home ownership had become out of reach for many.

“It’s wonderful that parents who have the financial means can help their kids into a home,’’ he said.

“But I will never accept a situation where the only people who can afford to buy a home are people with rich parents.

“The Coalition has already recommitted to allowing Australians to access up to $50,000 of their super to buy their first home.

“The money initially withdrawn from super will need to be returned to support retirement.

“But we need to do more. Australians are struggling to find homes to rent and buy – and not always due to a lack of money.”

REFUGEES

Mr Dutton said he also planned to reduce the refugee intake.

“Similarly, we will return the refugee and humanitarian program planning level to 13,750,’’ he said.

“The humanitarian program will remain one of the most generous in the world on a per capita basis.

“Third, we will reduce excessive numbers of foreign students studying at metropolitan universities to relieve stress on rental markets in our major cities.

“We will work with universities to set a cap on foreign students.”

TACKLING ONLINE CRIME

Mr Dutton also pledged to tackle law and order warning there had been a big uptick in young Australians committing, filming and uploading their crimes to social media.

“A Coalition Government will make it an offence to post criminal acts online,’’ he said.

“Those convicted will be banned from using digital platforms and liable for up to two years’ imprisonment.

“As a father of three children who all grew up in the digital age, I’m troubled by the material our children are exposed to.

“At the fingertips of our children is a concerning volume of sexually explicit and violent material, as well as content designed to indoctrinate.

“We welcome the Government’s belated decision to back our policy for an age verification trial.”