Pauline Hanson's message to Labor as an internal brawl erupts over Tony Burke's postponed speech about immigration

By NICHOLAS COMINO, POLITICAL REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 07:07, 5 August 2026 | Updated: 07:12, 5 August 2026 Pauline Hanson has taken aim at Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke, following his decision to postpone a major National Press Club speech on migration, after reports he faced cabinet resistance to proposed migration cuts. Burke had been expected to unveil a suite of measures to reduce net overseas migration, including stricter family visa rules, tighter restrictions on asylum seekers and new limits on backpackers staying longer in Australia. The proposed changes would have forced many family visa applicants to wait offshore for approval, instead of applying locally on tourist visas. The package was also set to curb asylum seekers' work and appeal rights, and expand caps on working holiday makers seeking second and third-year visas. Together, the reforms formed part of a broader plan to significantly cut migration numbers—but the speech was cancelled after intense cabinet debate over several items. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson released a video on Wednesday accusing Labor of talking tough on migration but refusing to take real action. 'Tony Burke was meant to give a big speech about cutting migration this week, but he cancelled it. Why? Because his cabinet doesn't want to cut a thing,' Hanson said. She argued Labor's approach to migration is putting pressure on housing, infrastructure and services. Pauline Hanson (pictured) has unleashed against Labor's reported clash over migration policy 'Labor has brought in more people than at any time in our history. 1.5 million in just four years,' Hanson said. 'He wants to look like he's cutting migration, but he's not. What he's doing is moving things around to make the numbers look smaller, but he's allowing people to game the visa system and play Australians for fools.' 'Meanwhile, your wages go backwards. You get sky-high rents and you get packed hospitals.' The intervention comes as Labor faces growing political pressure on migration and housing.  While Burke stayed silent after the postponement, senior cabinet minister Chris Bowen defended the government at the National Press Club when questioned by Channel Nine political editor Andrew Probyn. Asked why the government had missed its migration target of 225,000 people a year, Bowen said immigration ministers do not have direct levers over all migration outcomes. Australia's net overseas migration (NOM) was 301,000 in 2025, down from the post-pandemic peak of 556,000 recorded in late 2023, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics data, but well above the government's 225,000 target.  'Ministers for immigration don't always have direct levers,' Bowen said. Chris Bowen (pictured) defended Labor's record on migration at the National Press Club  'Quite a lot of our immigration program is demand-driven. If a business needs a temporary skilled worker, then that is something which automatically happens.' Bowen also pointed to Australians returning from overseas as a significant factor. 'There's things in the total net migration figures to Australia, like Australian residents returning home, as they're perfectly entitled to do,' he said. Despite reports of cabinet disputes, Bowen praised the Home Affairs Minister and indicated further announcements would come once talks had finished. 'Tony's all across this. He's making good progress. He will have more to say when he's worked those issues through. He's doing a fantastic job,' Bowen said. Bowen was also pressed on whether Australia's family reunion visa program had been abused, one of the areas reportedly targeted under Burke's proposed reforms. He defended the program, arguing it plays a key role in Australia's multicultural story. 'Family reunion is also very important for our country,' Bowen said. Tony Burke (pictured) cancelled a speech about Labor's new migration policy on Thursday 'Bringing parents to Australia, for example, bringing loved ones who then go on and contribute huge amounts.' 'Now every program will have elements where you need to ensure compliance, of course, but the family reunion program is a very important one and a very successful one.'