The Albanese government's immigration policy is under scrutiny, with a recent survey revealing a significant portion of voters disapprove of its handling. The survey, conducted by Resolve Political Monitor, found that 54% of respondents believe the government is mishandling immigration, while only 26% view it as carefully planned and managed. This marks a stark contrast to the government's stance, as they prepare to introduce stricter rules on visa overstayers and dodgy asylum claims. The survey also highlights a shift in public opinion, with 35% of voters favoring One Nation's approach to immigration management, compared to 23% for Labor and 17% for the Coalition. This trend underscores a broader discomfort with immigration among Australians, as 57% of voters believe current immigration levels are too high.
The government's immigration crackdown has been delayed due to concerns from cabinet colleagues, with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke citing the need for further work and addressing unanswered questions about costs. This delay comes amidst a backdrop of rising concerns about the cost of living, which remains the top priority for voters, despite a significant drop in concern from 45% to 36% in just one month. The survey also reveals a mixed response to the government's tax changes, with 35% supporting the changes to capital gains tax and negative gearing, while 21% oppose them and 44% remain undecided.
The survey's findings have implications for the major political parties, with Labor's primary vote at 28%, the Coalition at 23%, and One Nation at 26%. The survey also highlights the polarizing nature of leaders like Anthony Albanese and Pauline Hanson, with Albanese's net score at minus 16 percentage points and Hanson's at plus 5 percentage points. The survey's pollster, Jim Reed, suggests that the trust deficit is a significant issue for the government, as voters expect leaders to stick to their word.
In the context of rising house prices and the cost of living, the government's decision to end the halved fuel excise discount appears to have had a neutral impact, with petrol prices remaining stable. The survey's findings come at a time of economic uncertainty, with warnings of a potential 15% drop in house prices and ongoing interest rate hikes by the RBA to curb inflation. The survey's results underscore the complex interplay between immigration, economic policies, and public opinion, leaving the government with a challenging task in balancing these diverse concerns.
