Treasurer Chalmers Criticises One Nation’s Migration Plan Amid Farmer Worker Shortages

At the final budget presentation, Treasurer Jim Chalmers rebuked One Nation’s migration stance, calling Barnaby Joyce “all at sea” on the issue as farmers warned of severe labour shortages. Chalmers said the temporary-worker system, including backpackers, must be managed to serve Australia’s economic interests and noted Labour’s plan to lower net overseas migration to 225,000 by 2027-28. Joyce responded that federal policies are making it “incredibly hard” to secure workers where they are needed and argued One Nation would accelerate the demand-driven working-holiday visa programme.

He also claimed one outlet system contains “fat on the bone” and that cuts should target “visa factories”. Senator Jonno Duniam added that cutting visas could leave fruit growers and hospitality businesses struggling and emphasized the need for housing and services to keep pace with migration levels. The debate underscores a broader partisan clash over how to balance migration targets with rural labour demands.