Question Time AU

Take Note Debate

Migration

Senate · Tuesday 15 September 2026

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

Senator Sean Bell moved a motion to take note of the Minister's answer regarding migration. Bell criticised the government for failing to provide clear answers on visa-hopping and migration forecasts. He argued that internal divisions within the Labor Party prevented coherent policy direction. The Senate agreed to the motion.

Outcome

The question was agreed to.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Bell argued that the government had lost control of immigration and was deflecting from key issues. Bell claimed that ministers were divided on migration policy and that the Prime Minister refused to make decisive calls. Bell stated that the government could not explain its migration forecasts, which stood at 260,000 in the budget. Bell asserted that this lack of clarity contributed to housing pressure, high rents, and overloaded infrastructure. Bell promoted One Nation's plan to end visa-hopping and stop low-quality student visa abuses.