Nepalese Australian warns rapid migration may strain institutions and shared identity
Shankar, a Nepalese Australian, warned on ABC National Forum that rapid immigration could weaken Australia’s shared identity and leave newcomers without a clear cultural reference point. He argued that population growth can place pressure on institutions and communities, while stressing that migrants themselves are not to blame and that culture should evolve by building on its positive elements.
Net permanent and long-term arrivals reached 494,540 in the 12 months to January 2026, close to a record; the January net figure was 57,270, the highest for that month. The Albanese government has kept the 2026–27 permanent migration programme at 185,000 places. The Coalition has pledged to lower net overseas migration to 100,000 for two years, then raise it gradually, while One Nation has proposed cuts to temporary visas.
In short
- Shankar says rapid population growth can strain Australia’s shared identity.
- Net arrivals reached 494,540 in the year to January 2026.
- Parties propose different migration and visa reductions.
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The case for
Rapid migration can outpace housing, public services and the capacity of communities to support newcomers, weakening trust and social cohesion. A shared cultural reference point can help people feel they belong, so managing the pace of change may give institutions and newcomers more time to adapt while allowing culture to evolve.
The case against
Migration supports economic growth, helps meet labour and skills needs, and gives people fleeing hardship or seeking opportunity a chance to build new lives. Shared identity need not depend on a fixed cultural norm: it can develop through participation and common civic values, while pressure on services may be better addressed through investment and planning than by reducing migration.
Explained simply
Australia’s migration programme includes people granted permanent visas, while net overseas migration also counts long-term arrivals and departures, including temporary residents. These measures describe different parts of population change, so figures for one are not the same as the number of permanent places available.
Debate about migration often concerns how quickly the population grows and whether housing, schools, health services and other institutions can keep up. It also touches on how people from different backgrounds share a sense of national identity, which can change over time.
The federal government sets permanent migration places and visa rules. The Coalition and One Nation have proposed different limits on migration, while migrants and established communities are affected by how population growth and public services are managed.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Nepalese Australian delivers blunt warning on ABC over ‘huge’ migrant numbers: ‘It stresses everything’”.