One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson said her party would support Labor’s bill to cap foreign student numbers.

“The bill doesn’t go anywhere near far enough in reducing the appalling number of foreign students taking up university positions and accommodation at the expense of Australians, but it’s a start and the Coalition needs to get on board,” Senator Hanson said.

“I’m forced to question why the Coalition wants to prop up the international student industry that is making our housing crisis much worse than it needs to be. Why are they protecting profits for universities instead of protecting Australians in need of a home?

“I’m forced to question recent statements by Peter Dutton about reducing the record immigration numbers that are driving our housing and cost-of-living crises.

“This bill doesn’t reduce foreign student numbers by a lot – only 53,000 – but that’s still 53,000 foreigners not keeping 53,000 Australians out of secure accommodation.

“We must break Australian universities of their addiction to foreign students.

“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.

“Does the Coalition put the interests of Australian students before, or after, the interests of foreigners? If Australian students are the priority – and they bloody well should be – then the Coalition should join us in supporting this bill as a first step towards more comprehensive and meaningful reductions in the future.

“One Nation will always put Australia and Australians first.”