Joyce Attributes Immigration Policy Flaws to Campaign Pressures
Barnaby Joyce has pointed to “campaign pressure” as the reason behind One Nation candidate David Farley’s recent departure from the party’s established immigration stance, where he appeared to endorse Labor’s current policies.
The One Nation MP also dismissed concerns regarding Gina Rinehart’s $1 million donation of a private plane to Pauline Hanson’s party, suggesting that journalists are more intrigued by such significant contributions than the public.
During an appearance on Sky News, Joyce expressed confidence in Farley’s prospects in the upcoming by-election, emphasizing that Australia’s net overseas migration of 306,000 last year might not be excessive. This contradicts One Nation’s own immigration policy, which caps annual immigration at 130,000.
Focus on Integrating Immigration with National Policy
At a recent candidate forum moderated by Barry Cassidy, former host of Insiders and podcast presenter at The Guardian, Farley articulated that One Nation seeks to incorporate immigration into broader policies on housing, healthcare, and education, highlighting the necessity for skilled immigrants.
When Cassidy raised the question of whether 306,000 net overseas migrants is too many, Farley responded affirmatively, stating, “No, probably not.” He noted that the success of One Nation’s water policy would generate an urgent need for more skilled labor.
Joyce Downplays Farley’s Gaffes
When questioned about Farley’s remarks, Joyce downplayed the incident, attributing it to campaign pressures. He reiterated that One Nation’s official policy is indeed to restrict immigration to 130,000 people per year. Joyce stressed the importance of assessing regional capacities, stating that an influx of 400,000 people annually would overwhelm the infrastructure in cities like Canberra, Sydney, and Melbourne.
Close Race Anticipated in Farrar By-Election
Farley is expected to face a competitive race against independent candidate Michelle Milthorpe in the NSW-Victoria border seat, which has historically been held by Liberal and National Party representatives. National Party leader Matt Canavan has downplayed the implications of a potential loss.
“These things don’t concern me,” Canavan stated on ABC’s Insider program. He acknowledged public disillusionment but expressed optimism about improving the situation if the National Party wins Farrar. While he did not set expectations for a strong performance, he did criticize both Milthorpe and Farley for what he described as a “dishonest” campaign.
Criticism of Opponents’ Policies
Canavan voiced strong criticism of Milthorpe’s fossil fuel agenda, labeling him as “teal”—a characterization that Milthorpe disputes, and took issue with Farley’s comments on immigration. He highlighted Farley’s apparent acceptance of Labor’s immigration policies, despite One Nation advocating for significant policy cuts on their website.
Joyce Refutes Concerns Over Rinehart’s Donations
Additionally, Joyce addressed the public sentiment regarding Rinehart’s substantial donations to One Nation, asserting that voters are not particularly concerned. “I think it worries people in the fourth estate more than it worries people on the ground,” he commented.
Recent reports indicate that Rinehart gifted Hanson a private plane valued at over $1.5 million for the upcoming federal elections, along with an additional $2 million from her inner circle to One Nation. Joyce dismissed the notion that such large donations would adversely affect One Nation’s electoral prospects, implying that an inability to attract big donors reflects a weak political philosophy.
He pointed out that both the Labor government and the Green Party enjoy robust support from the trade union movement and influential businessmen, emphasizing that their backing indicates a philosophy capable of attracting support from diverse political spheres, including the conservative side.
