One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce has defended the party's controversial migration policy against criticism that it lacks any modelling of its economic impact, arguing that elected politicians rather than unelected officials should decide the matter. The plan, unveiled by Pauline Hanson ahead of Labor's own migration reforms, aims to cut temporary visa holders and overstayers by more than 750,000 over three years, with international student visa grants reduced from over 290,000 to 115,000 annually and secondary family visas scrapped entirely. Experts and government figures have warned the policy could severely damage sectors reliant on migrant labour, with Industry Minister Tim Ayres describing it as a potential "wrecking ball" through regional economies.

The proposal has drawn criticism for not being costed or assessed by the Parliamentary Budget Office, prompting Joyce to dismiss concerns about the quality of official economic forecasting. Analysts note that sustained negative migration of the kind One Nation is proposing has historically only occurred during severe recessions or wartime. Industry figures, including International Education Association of Australia chief Phil Honeywood, cautioned the cuts could "decimate" the university sector, which employs 250,000 people and depends heavily on international student fees, while the Coalition has distanced itself from the plan, saying it would not adopt uncosted policy. Separately, the student visa appeals backlog has continued to grow, reaching 53,608 cases by the end of July, despite recent reforms aimed at speeding up processing.