Coalition promises to drastically cut net overseas migration and housing construction code

By NICHOLAS COMINO, POLITICAL REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 00:03, 12 August 2026 | Updated: 00:13, 12 August 2026 The Coalition is due to unveil a plan to reduce net overseas migration to fewer than 180,000 people a year while promising to remove red tape in the construction industry.  The plan will be unveiled at the National Press Club by shadow housing minister Andrew Bragg on Wednesday. 'A (net overseas migration) reduction on this scale is manageable and in line with reductions we have managed in recent history,' Bragg is due to say.  'For example, (this happened) in 2009-2010 when the NOM declined from 300,000 to 175,000 in around 18 months. 'This will be achieved through a higher share of skilled migrant workers linked to jobs that meet Australian industry needs. 'This includes more reductions in other streams like family, international students and other temporary migrants.' Mr Bragg is also expected to tell the media that the Coalition will cut the 2,000-page National Construction Code to an 80-page basic standard, arguing the current document makes it 'illegal to build a cheap, safe house'.  Shadow housing minister Andrew Bragg (pictured) is due to unveil a plan to lower migration