Bloomberg reported today: Despite polls showing a sharp rise in support for Australia's far-right party, One Nation, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has refused to accept the proposal of reducing immigration or strengthening border checks.
In a Sunday interview with Sky News, when asked whether he planned to tighten restrictions or reduce the number of immigrants from certain countries, the Labor leader said, "Our screening is already very strict. Australia has a screening mechanism for immigration and visas."
A poll conducted by The Australian for Newper showed that One Nation's support has risen to 27% this year, reflecting a growing public opposition to immigration issues.
Commentary: Premier Albanese of Australia is resisting the pressure from the far-right populist movement and maintaining an open immigration policy, which essentially involves choosing between economic rationality and public sentiment. Australia highly depends on immigration to fill labor shortages. If it closes its doors, it would not only affect its social image but also impact industries, infrastructure, and long-term growth momentum—this is a dilemma faced by developed countries in general.
The surge in One Nation's support to 27% reflects a common trend globally: economic pressure, livelihood anxiety, and uncertainty about the future easily transform into anti-immigration sentiment. The issue of immigration is no longer just a population policy, but the most sensitive and incendiary issue in Western politics, and it also indicates that political struggles in Australia will become more intense in the coming period.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1857794282620938/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.