Story perspectives

Bragg Targets Below 180,000 Overseas Migration After Code Cuts

8/15/2026

Summary

Bragg Cuts Migration

Senator Andrew Bragg announced that overseas migration will be cut to below 180,000 a year and the migration code trimmed.
Liberal leader Angus Taylor said the 180,000 target was Bragg’s and had not been finalized.
Nationals leader Matt Canavan dismissed proposals to cut working-holiday or regional visas.
Bragg clarified on RN Breakfast that homes built to the Basic Australian Standard will be safe and sound.

Summary

Rimmer Flags Costs

Inspector-General Ben Rimmer told Senate estimates that eight state and territory construction regimes create a significant economic impost.
ABCB chief Adrian Piani said the building code grew from 332 to over 2,200 pages because of guidance, energy-efficiency and accessibility rules.
Senate inquiry evidence found recent code changes have increased new-home costs by $3,600 to $33,000.
Labor minister Tim Ayres warned that abandoning recent balcony waterproofing rules could cost $2 billion in rectifications.

History

Historical Context

The Whitlam Labor government eliminated racial criteria from immigration law in 1973 and the Racial Discrimination Act of 1975 made the White Australia policy illegal, ending a century-long restriction that began with the 1901 Immigration Restriction Act. Since the 1960s, successive reforms have raised permanent migration to around 180,000 annually, a level now challenged by Senator Andrew Bragg and Minister Tim Ayres.

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Bragg Cuts Migration

Senator Andrew Bragg announced that overseas migration will be cut to below 180,000 a year and the migration code trimmed.
Liberal leader Angus Taylor said the 180,000 target was Bragg’s and had not been finalized.
Nationals leader Matt Canavan dismissed proposals to cut working-holiday or regional visas.
Bragg clarified on RN Breakfast that homes built to the Basic Australian Standard will be safe and sound.

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