One Nation is backing a Labor bill that sets a cap on foreign students. Labor’s legislation does not go anywhere near far enough in restricting foreign student numbers (they will be capped at 270,000, a reduction of about 53,000), but any reduction in the middle of a housing crisis driven by high immigration is welcome.

To the Coalition’s shame, they’ve decided to oppose the bill on the ridiculous basis that it’s "imperfect." Since when was any government legislation perfect?

In the past 20 years, foreign student enrolments have risen 370%, and the proportion of foreign university students has more than doubled from 14% to 29%. At the same time, Australian student enrolments have risen only 84%, and in the past few years, domestic students have been dropping out in record numbers. Only 62% of domestic Australian students complete their degree; the figure is 79% for foreign students.

It’s clear that our universities need to be broken of their addiction to foreign students. Their priority for Australian universities should be Australian students.

In Pauline Hanson’s contribution to the debate, she outlined an overall immigration policy that works in the national interest:

• treats living in Australia as a privilege to be earned, not an entitlement;
• ensures that people have demonstrated loyalty and allegiance to Australia over a long period of time before they can apply for permanent residency or citizenship;
• ensures that a significant breach of Australian law by an immigrant—proven in court—results in immediate deportation and a permanent ban on that person ever coming to Australia again;
• ensures social cohesion by prioritising immigrants from countries with similar cultures and values and denying immigration to people from countries which don’t;
• prioritises immigrants with skills and qualifications that our country needs;
• prioritises Australia’s national interest over humanitarian and political considerations and over international agreements;
• forever ensures that those who come here without permission can never live here or come here again;
• does not set annual refugee targets and puts Australian interests ahead of international refugee agreements;
• never permits the importation of extremist ideologies incompatible with Australian values like the rule of law, secular democracy and equality—and deports them if they slip through;
• never compromises an Australian’s ability to obtain employment, enrol in study or secure a home;
• never places an undue burden on public infrastructure and public services; and
• never EVER puts the safety of Australian people at any risk.