Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I make two points to the member for Kennedy before I ask the Minister for Resources to comment on the issues you raise regarding resources policy. First, regarding the will of the people, those are called elections, and we have a proud democracy in this country. I defend it. And people in this country voted for a government that would understand that modern Australia is, as the minister has just reflected, a different nation to the one it was under the White Australia policy some time ago. They voted for a government that would understand that our diversity is a strength in modern Australia, and it provides us with incredible economic opportunity as well, due to the diaspora here and their connections with every country on the planet.

With regard to the figures—I don't accept some of the figures that he's raised. I'm not sure what the basis of them is, but I can refer to the latest NOM—the net overseas migration—which was down 37 per cent on an annual figure in the last figures that were raised in 2024. I'd ask the minister to comment.

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