Pauline Hanson reveals the migrants that she'd let stay in Australia under her plan to slash immigration by 76 per cent if elected Prime Minister

By NICHOLAS COMINO, POLITICAL REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 02:19, 16 June 2026 | Updated: 02:29, 16 June 2026 One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has revealed which migrants she would allow to remain in Australia if she became Prime Minister.  Under Hanson's policy, Australia would cap permanent and temporary visas at 130,000 a year - a dramatic reduction from current migration levels. Under the Albanese government, the permanent migration program is set at 185,000 places annually, while about 363,000 people arrived on temporary visas in 2024–25. Based on those figures, Hanson's proposed cap would reduce migration by about 76 per cent, cutting annual arrivals from roughly 548,000 to 130,000. During an interview with 2GB's Ben Fordham, Hanson was pressed on which groups of migrants would be affected under her proposed immigration crackdown.  'What is your stance on migrant medical professionals, doctors and surgeons?' a 2GB listener asked Hanson. 'Will you send them back home or offer them a chance to stay if they're non-Australian citizens?' Hanson said they would be allowed to stay. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has revealed which migrants she would allow to remain in Australia if she became Prime Minister  Hanson said that regional and rural areas needed doctors and 'skilled' workers 'We need professional people in Australia. We're lacking doctors, and I hear it all the time from rural and regional Australia,' she said. 'You can't keep going to mass migration, which is 1,375 a day on average. We can't keep going down that track.' Hanson also reassured voters that her policy would not affect migrants already living in Australia legally. 'These are permanent residents. That's got nothing to do with farm workers or those who are work visa holders coming to work for companies and businesses here because we can't get our own people to work,' she said. Hanson has previously argued that many temporary migrants exploit student visas to remain in Australia, and has pointed to the country's record 2.6 million temporary visa holders as evidence the system is under strain.  'There's been an explosion of foreign students abusing the system through 'course-hopping,' she said. 'They get a student visa, drop out soon after, and apply to a bunch of bogus schools or courses while remaining on a bridging visa, which allows them to work and access housing and services in Australia. 'On average, these bridging visas last around 200 days before their new study visa application is processed. If they're knocked back, they just appeal it – the average waiting time for appeals is another 64 weeks, again on a bridging visa. 'Many even claim asylum despite having no grounds, because the average waiting time on such an application is around three years. If that's knocked back, they just appeal it again so they can spend more time making money in Australia. Hanson has previously argued that many temporary migrants exploit student visas to remain in Australia, and has pointed to the country's record 2.6 million temporary visa holders as evidence the system is under strain 'The number of foreign students on bridging visas has blown out from 13,000 to more than 107,000 in just three years.' Hanson said One Nation's policy would ensure foreign students who drop out of their courses would not receive bridging visas allowing them to remain and work in Australia, and would not be able to lodge appeals with the Administrative Review Tribunal. Fordham asked Hanson about Anthony Albanese's suggestion that her migration policies could make it harder to deal with foreign leaders if she ever became Prime Minister. 'Albanese suggested today that you would struggle to deal with those other nations because you've got strong policies when it comes to cutting back on migration. 'He thinks that somehow, when you go overseas and talk to some of these other leaders, they wouldn't be happy to talk to you. 'He's obviously never seen Donald Trump in action. 'Donald Trump is constantly saying what he thinks and speaking on behalf of the American people. 'He doesn't worry too much about what other leaders from other countries are going to say or think, and he does business with everyone.' Hanson's remarks come as her 'Fire the Liar' campaign targeting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has raised more than $4 million, reflecting a surge in support and fundraising 'That's exactly what it's about, Ben. It's about representing your people, your country. To be the leader of this nation, my first and main concern is for the people here, not for someone from Europe or any other country.' Hanson's remarks come as her 'Fire the Liar' campaign targeting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has raised more than $4 million, reflecting a surge in support and fundraising. Hanson admitted she was 'gobsmacked' by the response. 'Honestly, never thought we'd get anywhere near that money, and it just kept ticking over,' she said. 'My biggest task is to get rid of this liar of a Prime Minister out of that office.' She credited the momentum to growing frustration with the government. 'A lot of people are really hurting under this government,' she said. Hanson said she is hearing from long-time Labor and Liberal voters who are switching to One Nation. 'They've had a gutful of the two uni-parties. They want change,' she said. Hanson is set to make her first appearance at the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday, where she will make her pitch to voters before taking questions from the Federal Press Gallery. The comments below have not been moderated. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.