Sat, 19th Sept, 2026; Amy Remeikis; Chief Political Analyst, The Australia Institute & Contributing Editor, The New Daily

Joining us for our weekly political pulse-check is Amy Remeikis, Chief Political Analyst at The Australia Institute and Contributing Editor for The New Daily. Known for cutting straight through Canberra’s noise and spin, Amy is here to break down the latest media culture wars, truth in political advertising, and the policy debates dominating federal parliament. Welcome back to Saturday Magazine, Amy.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has announced plans to curb migration to Australia, reducing numbers to 245,000 this year and 225,000 next financial year. One Nation wants Australia to have 0 net overseas migration for the next three years and then 130,000 after that, and the Coalition wants migration numbers to be between 150,000 to 170,000 people.

Burke wants to increase the value of skilled permanent migration, with housing construction tradespeople to receive the same recognition as those with university degrees. Priority will be given to construction, healthcare, agriculture, fisheries and teaching. International Students will also no longer be able to attach family members to their visas.

For backpackers in Australia, eligibility for a second-year stay will be capped at 45,000 places and applicants will need to complete 88 days of regional work to qualify. For those seeking a third year, it’s six months in the country and only 5,000 places available. UK applicants will not be subject to this restriction because of our Free Trade Agreement with them.

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