The Coalition has raised concerns about the government's migration levels, stating they are straining housing, infrastructure, and the Australian way of life. This comes as the government responded to anti-immigration protests over the weekend, asserting that such demonstrations do not reflect Australian values.

Labor announced this week that its permanent migration target will remain at 185,000 for the current financial year. This decision has drawn criticism from the opposition, which is advocating for a reduction in migration levels. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley expressed that the government's policy is "putting pressure on every corner of the country ... on infrastructure, on housing and our way of life."

Ley emphasized that the issue is not about the migrants themselves, stating, "We migrants, we came to Australia for a better life. It's about getting the balance right." Former Coalition frontbencher Jacinta Nampijinpa Price echoed Ley's sentiments, arguing that many Australians are suffering due to inadequate infrastructure and services. "We don't have the capacity to be able to service Australians to the best of our ability. Our way of life is getting worse. We're seeing more division," she said during an interview.

The permanent migration program primarily issues visas to individuals already in Australia, which does not directly impact net migration figures that include temporary migrants like international students. When asked about the Coalition's proposed migration level, Ley did not provide specifics but indicated it would be lower than Labor's target. "We just want to have a sensible, proper discussion with explanations that demonstrate how the infrastructure in this country can support the migration targets and numbers that the government has given," she stated.

Senator Price also condemned the neo-Nazi presence at some protests, including an incident in Melbourne where a First Nations protest camp was attacked. She noted that extremists exist on both sides of the political spectrum. "I think, no I know, the vast majority of Australians who were there over the weekend ... did not want them to be hijacking what ultimately was a pro-Australian march," she said, referring to the protests as a demonstration of national identity.

In response to the protests, Foreign Minister Penny Wong delivered a speech in the Senate denouncing the anti-immigration rallies and the neo-Nazis involved. "Neo-Nazis and anti-immigration rallies are not who we are. These are not Australian values," she stated. Wong highlighted her own multicultural background, saying, "And that is a story possible because we are a great multicultural nation."

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressed Ley's comments about the "way of life" during a press conference, describing them as a "very broad statement." He noted that immigration has significantly shaped Australia, adding, "With the exception of First Nations people, we're all either migrants or descendants of migrants."

Education Minister Jason Clare refrained from engaging in the political debate, urging Australians to recognize and embrace the positive aspects of their country.