Taylor's Hardline Immigration Policy: A Divisive Shift

0:00Angus Taylor just dropped his first big policy move as opposition leader, pushing hard-minded immigration changes. He wants a binding English test for all permanent visa holders, Trump's style social media checks on applicants, and ramped up deportations for over. 65,000 non-citizens who've lost their appeals. Taylor says it's about real commitment to Australian values through language, work, and integration. Lam Labor for losing control since the COVID pandemic, pointing to over 2,000 Palestinian visas issued after the October 7th attacks, as needing a fresh look, even though they've cleared security betting. Taylor praised his grandfather's era migrants from war-torn Europe, calling them the gold standard who built the nation with skills and loyalty. Labor fired back hard, with ministers like Tony Burke calling it desperate dogwistling that insults millions of Aussies whose parents speak little. English, but loved the country. The Greens labelled it a 2026 revival of the old white Australia policy, while advocates

1:02worry it'll divide communities and scare off. Skilled workers we need, race discrimination commissioner Giridhar and Sveromon said migrant groups are tired of taking the blame for politicians' messes, stressing words have, real consequences. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allen ripped it as Trump Playbook stuff, two week against far-right voices like Pauline Hanson. This policy shake-up highlights Australia's shift to a majority migrant nation, over 50% born overseas, or with immigrant parents, and sets up a fierce pre-election battle over who gets to call Australia home. This has been Sydney News Today, powered by AI. I'm Corey with The Story.