One Nation Exploits Housing Crisis to Criticize Immigration

Australia’s conservative One Nation party is capitalizing on the housing crisis and anti-immigration sentiment to draw voter attention, boosting support for party leader Pauline Hanson, though it has sparked controversy.

The party claims that the housing shortage is linked to the influx of immigrants. Even though the government has set a target of building 240,000 homes annually, supply still fails to meet demand, making buying and renting increasingly difficult and expensive. Party officials have filmed street videos in Melbourne that, using strategic provocation, claim the city “no longer looks like a Western country,” drawing criticism and condemnation.

Recently, Hanson posted a series of videos on social media shot in Melbourne and Sydney, often titled with phrases like “Take Back Australia.” She directly blames large numbers of international students and short-term visa holders for pushing Australian youth into homelessness in parks. Human rights groups have criticized this as “blaming vulnerable groups for structural policy failures,” warning it could deepen social division and potentially trigger further unrest, similar to the Sydney Harbour Bridge protests in August 2025.

Experts note that while immigration does affect housing demand, the core issue is the long-term shortage of housing supply and the slow pace of construction. Reducing immigration may ease pressure temporarily, but it is not a comprehensive solution to the housing shortage.