Australia's immigration story is one of booms, busts, and now, a contentious "Big Australia" push that's pitting public opinion against powerful interests. For the first six decades post-World War II, net overseas migration (NOM) hummed along at an average of 90,000 annually, rarely spiking above 150,000. But in the 15 years before COVID, it ballooned to 220,000, a 145% jump, fuelling rapid population growth and straining infrastructure. Fast-forward to 2025, and despite a pandemic pause, the taps are wide open again. Yet, poll after poll reveals a stark reality: Most Australians want lower immigration. So why is this majority voice being ignored? The answer lies in the cosy embrace between mainstream political parties and the "Big Australia" business lobby, where economic growth trumps public concerns about housing, services, and quality of life.

The Polls Speak: A Resounding 'No' to High Migration

If democracy is about heeding the people's will, Australia's immigration policy is a glaring exception. Recent surveys paint a consistent picture of widespread opposition.

Take the October 2025 Daily Mail/Ipsos poll: A whopping 71% of Australians across all demographics, ages, genders, and political affiliations, want immigration slashed. This isn't fringe sentiment; it's a cross-spectrum consensus, with even Labor voters (65%) and Greens supporters (58%) backing cuts.

The Lowy Institute's 2025 Poll echoes this, with 59% of respondents saying current migration levels are "too high," up from 47% in 2023. While Australians remain pro-immigration in principle (supporting skilled migrants and refugees), the sheer volume is the sticking point. A February Guardian poll found 52% favouring lower overall migration, though many oppose cutting international students specifically.

In Western Sydney, a hotspot for migration impacts, an April ABC/YouGov poll identified immigration as a top concern, with 62% viewing it as a "problem" amid housing shortages and congestion. The TAPRI survey from earlier this year reinforced this, with 49% opposing high immigration due to strains on services like hospitals.

On X, the frustration boils over. One recent post decried the government's "relentless pursuit of mass immigration despite overwhelming public opposition," calling it a "betrayal of democratic principles." Rallies like the "March for Australia" drew hundreds of thousands, yet Prime Minister Albanese dismissed them as a "small issue."

These aren't anomalies; they're a trend. Australians aren't anti-immigrant, they're anti-overload. As one Quora commenter put it, "The government won't build the necessary infrastructure," leading to resentment.

Why the Deafening Silence? The 'Big Australia' Mirage

So, if the polls are this clear, why the inaction? Enter "Big Australia," a vision of endless population growth peddled as an economic panacea. But scratch the surface, and it's clear who's really benefiting: Big Business.

Business lobbies like the Business Council of Australia (BCA) and property developers have long championed high migration for cheap labour, consumer demand, and property booms. They argue it plugs skills gaps and boosts GDP, but critics say it masks productivity woes and inflates housing prices. A Sydney Morning Herald analysis questions who truly wants this "Big Australia," pointing to evidence that slogans hide vested interests.

The government ignores polls because acknowledging them would mean confronting these powerful donors. As a Reddit thread notes, immigration debates are "silenced" on social media partly because both major parties share similar policies, high intake to appease business. An ABC report highlights irony: Harsh criticism of high migration comes from within pro-growth organisations, admitting the system's flaws.

Economic modelling from the Australian National University shows Coalition governments have historically driven higher immigration, despite rhetoric. Labor, under Albanese, continues the trend, rejecting "disingenuous" opposition claims while siding with lobbies. A TAPRI report warns this "Big Australia" push could be waning, but not before ignoring public outcry.

In essence, polls are sidelined because "growth at all costs" aligns with elite interests, not everyday Aussies facing rent hikes and crowded trains.

Mainstream Parties: Bending the Knee to Business Barons

Both Labor and the Liberal-National Coalition are complicit. Despite Peter Dutton's 2025 election loss partly blamed on a weak anti-immigration stance, the opposition's record shows they've overseen massive intakes too. Lowy polls indicate voters see little difference: Neither party dominates on handling migration.

Business influence is key. The BCA routinely lobbies against cuts, framing migration as essential for recovery. Parties bow because donations and economic narratives depend on it, ignore the polls, chase the GDP headlines. As Macrobusiness puts it, Australians "reject Albo's immigration tsunami," but politicians prioritise corporate mates.

Time for a Reckoning?

Australia's migration policy isn't broken by accident, it's designed this way. Polls scream for moderation, but as long as "Big Australia" business holds sway, expect more of the same. Voters must demand accountability, perhaps through independents or referendums. Otherwise, the land Down Under risks becoming overcrowded and unaffordable, all while racially replacing its own people, in favour of an even more compliant New Australian multi-race of techno-serfs.

https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/2025/10/poll-after-poll-shows-australians-want-lower-immigration/