One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has failed to say how many international students she would deny entry to Australia while vowing to gut the $55bn international education sector.

Senator Hanson has been unable to say how she would slash net migration down to 130,000 from the current 300,000 figure since unveiling the policy earlier this year.

International students make up about a third of current net migration and would bear the brunt of cuts, sparking fears that her policy, if realised, would destroy Australia’s second-biggest export.

“I think the international student industry that’s been set up by the universities is a farce,” Senator Hanson told News24 on Sunday, claiming without proof that people use student visas “as a backdoor to get into the country”.

“Then they bring in their family members or their spouses, and I think it’s about 271,000 that are on in the country now under that category.

“If they want to bring them into the country, then universities must look at accommodation for them, not these people buying accommodation in Australia and taking it up.”

Asked for a number, Senator Hanson said: “I’m not putting a figure on it now.”

Labor has cut net migration by almost 45 per cent since the post-pandemic peak of 550,000 in 2023.

The Albanese government is aiming for 220,000, with Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke quietly overhauling visa processing last month to prioritise skilled migrants already in the country over those applying from overseas.

The changes, which kicked in on July 25 without any public announcement, put onshore applicants working in law enforcement and the defence industry at the top of the priority list, while any offshore applicants not in healthcare, teaching and construction were given lowest priority.

Senior ministers are also debating tighter rules for family visas, a cap on backpackers and tougher restrictions on work rights and appeal options for asylum seekers.

Liberal senator grilled on figure

Also appearing on News24 on Sunday, opposition housing spokesman Andrew Bragg was tight-lipped on how the Coalition would hit the 180,000 net migration target he nominated in a speech earlier this week.

That figure came as a surprise to many of his colleagues, who were quick to say his National Press Club address reflected Senator Bragg’s personal views rather than official Coalition positions.

However, he has stood by it, insisting again on Sunday that “it’s impossible to disconnect the housing malaise from the nation’s economic malaise”.

Senator Bragg would not put a figure on the international student cuts, saying only that the Coalition would “have to work through that”.

“We’ll have to consult very carefully, because these are very important economic judgements for the country,” he said.

“Firstly, there’s the range. No one doubts the range. If you want to close the housing migration gap over the forwards, it’s got to be around 180, okay?

“How you do it is a matter for consultation.”

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