SBS Our House

The university sector is pushing back against One Nation's migration plan, which would cut hundreds of thousands of international student and graduate places over three years. Pauline Hanson says she's reflecting the will of the people, but industry leaders say the policy could wreak havoc on the economy and worsen skills shortages. The policy has also prompted fresh calls for reform and investment in research and education.<br /><br />In this podcast episode, we hear how One Nation's proposed migration cuts have triggered strong opposition from universities, student groups and industry leaders, who argue the policy would harm education, research, economic growth and Australia's skilled workforce.<br><br>The main points:<br><ol><li><b>One Nation has proposed major migration cuts:</b><br>The party wants to reduce migration by more than 750,000 places over three years, targeting international students, graduate visa holders, skilled migrants and their families.</li><li><b>Universities warn of serious economic and research impacts:</b><br>University leaders argue the cuts would damage Australia's international education sector, reduce research funding, hurt the economy, and put jobs at risk. They say international education contributes billions of dollars annually.</li><li><b>The policy has become part of a broader political debate:</b><br>Critics from the university sector say One Nation is not alone in seeking tighter student migration settings, arguing both Labor and the Coalition have also supported measures such as student caps and visa restrictions.</li><li><b>International students and universities reject claims they are "visa factories"</b><br>Student representatives say international students have not been properly consulted in the debate and support stronger quality controls rather than arbitrary visa cuts. Universities argue most international students return home after graduating and are not using study as a migration pathway.</li><li><b>Business groups warn the cuts could worsen skills shortages:</b><br>Industry leaders say reducing skilled migration and graduate visas could deepen existing labour shortages in sectors such as engineering, healthcare, aged care, trades and cybersecurity. They are calling for a more efficient and transparent migration system instead of large reductions.</li></ol><br>

Independent Fatima Payman earlier this year became the first ever WA senator to give birth while serving parliament. While she isn't the first person in the Parliament to find a way to make it work, it's always a challenge to balance the requirements of Parliament with the needs of a young baby. Now, as Canberra sits once agai, she's been talking to SBS reporter Chris Tan to talk about motherhood, politics and in a political environment that's highly charged around the topic of multiculturalism and migrants... the kind of Australia she wants to leave for her daughter.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has met with Vietnam’s president Tô Lâm in Canberra, where they agreed to deepen economic cooperation. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to rules based multilateral trading amid uncertainty caused by rising protectionism and conflict overseas. Critics have called on the Australian government to press Vietnam on its domestic laws, which have been criticised by human rights groups.

Free drugs, escorts, and flights to sporting events. A Senate committee in Canberra has heard about the extraordinary tactics some major betting companies use to incentivise gambling addicts to continue spending millions.

As Labor's national conference continues, critics argue it has allowed little room for dissent, with key issues like gas, gambling and AUKUS largely resolved before being publicly debated on the conference floor. Backbencher Ed Husic is among those calling for more robust debate.

Pauline Hanson has declared Australia should be a monoculture, in a sweeping address at the nation's most coveted political platform, the National Press Club. She's also criticised the public broadcasters and confirmed its official One Nation policy to scrap funding to SBS.

The United States has proposed a new set of tariffs on 60 trading partners, including Australia, alleging they have failed to impose and enforce forced labour bans in their supply chains. The Australian government has rejected the accusations and says the proposed 12.5 per cent import tax contravenes the free trade agreement.<br /><br />The United States has proposed a new set of tariffs on 60 trading partners, including Australia, alleging they have failed to impose and enforce forced labour bans in their supply chains.<br><br>The Australian government has rejected the accusations and says the proposed 12.5 per cent import tax contravenes the free trade agreement.<br><br>

A report calling for more federal support for new dads was tabled in federal parliament this week by the Special Envoy for Men's Health Dan Repacholi. The report by the Movember Institute surveyed 1,200 Australian fathers, finding 84 per cent said fatherhood gave their life greater meaning and 77 per cent said it helped them express love and vulnerability more. But three of five new fathers said they were never asked about their mental health, while one in five reported feeling more isolated or lonely since becoming a father.

The Australian government is suing multinational industrial company 3M in the largest ever claim brought by the Commonwealth. The legal action will seek damages in relation to PFAS contamination across defence sites throughout Australia, alleging the company withheld information about their products.<br /><br />The Australian government is suing multinational industrial company 3M in the largest ever claim brought by the Commonwealth.<br><br><br>The legal action will seek damages in relation to PFAS contamination across defence sites throughout Australia, alleging the company withheld information about their products.

The government has announced what it has described as the biggest reform to employment services in over 30 years. The system has been set up to help unemployed Australians find work. But with the continuation of mutual obligations and private providers, advocates say the changes are nothing more than a rebrand.<br /><br />The government has announced what it has described as the biggest reform to employment services in over 30 years.<br><br>The system has been set up to help unemployed Australians find work.<br><br>But with the continuation of mutual obligations and private providers, advocates say the changes are nothing more than a rebrand.

Several so-called 'teal' independents are in advanced discussions about the potential formation of a new political party. Responding to growing distrust for the major parties and surging support for One Nation, some independent MPs say Australia needs a more sensible opposition.

SBS speaks with independent MP Allegra Spender to discuss the recent federal budget

The Coalition has vowed to support the small business sector as consternation grows over tax changes affecting capital gains. In his budget reply, Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson accused Labor of an attack on aspiration, and laid out the Liberal vision.

Pauline Hanson has spoken with SBS Chief Political Correspondent Anna Henderson in a wide-ranging interview following the federal government’s 2026/27 budget announcement.

The contest continues over the future of Australia's tax system following last week's Federal Budget. The Coalition has flagged its own bold policies on tax and housing, while the Treasurer is working to sell a trio of changes affecting negative gearing, capital gains and trusts. Two new opinion polls suggest his federal budget has been poorly received by voters - but Jim Chalmers has declared the long-term gains from controversial housing tax changes are worth the short-term political pain.

The Federal Government says it's investing $1.2 billion in First Nations communities and Closing the Gap over five years as part of Tuesday's budget. Headline measures include new funding for remote jobs, community controlled health infrastructure, and programs to combat gendered violence. Despite these investments, some community leaders have told NITV they feel the budget left First Nations people behind.

SBS chief political correspondent Anna Henderson quizzes the Prime Minister about the budget, broken promises, a gas tax, and more

Cuts to the National Disability Insurance Scheme are the largest source of savings in the federal budget, leaving many in the disability community angry and anxious about what's to come. The details of which participants will lose their supports, and whether state governments will fill those gaps, are still being worked out.

The government has finally filed its formal response to the gambling inquiry chaired by the late MP Peta Murphy. But their response has drawn sharp criticism from advocates, who say it was dropped the day of the federal Budget - and that it doesn't go far enough.

Speculation was rife in the lead up to this year's budget about what it would contain for housing investors. Now we know what Treasurer Jim Chalmers has planned for the capital gains tax discount, and negative gearing regime, both of which have been blamed for favouring investors over first home buyers and inflating prices. What do the changes mean for renters and potential buyers in the housing market?