Guardian Essential poll

Billy Odell Tucker-Robinson Founder & Host — Banking With Billy Network • Intelligence Network • Data Science • AI Research • World News
Published: 2026-09-29T15:15:33.660Z • Permanent link

Recent polling data from Guardian Essential has revealed a striking shift in Australian public opinion on migrant intake, with over half of respondents expressing a desire to lower the country's migrant quota. The results, which were released in late September, mark a significant departure from the Coalition's long-held stance on immigration reform. According to the Guardian, the One Nation party has capitalized on this sentiment, with its primary vote surging to 25% in the latest polls. The data points to a growing divide within Australian society, with concerns about economic competition, cultural identity, and national security driving the shift.

The polls are significant because they reflect a broader trend in Western societies, where anti-immigrant sentiment is on the rise. A 2022 survey by the Pew Research Center found that 45% of Americans believed that immigration was a major factor in the country's economic problems, while 53% believed it had a negative impact on the country's culture. Similarly, a 2020 report by the Migration Policy Institute found that anti-immigrant sentiment was on the rise in the European Union, with 62% of respondents in a Eurobarometer survey expressing concern about the impact of immigration on the EU's economy and society.

The implications of these polls are far-reaching, with potential consequences for companies operating in the AI and tech ecosystem. Many of these firms rely heavily on international talent to drive innovation and growth, and a decrease in migrant intake could have significant implications for their ability to attract and retain top talent. Furthermore, a shift in public opinion on immigration could also impact the regulatory environment, with policymakers potentially introducing new restrictions on non-EU workers or introducing more stringent requirements for work visas.

The shift in public opinion on migrant intake has significant implications for companies operating in the AI and tech ecosystem. For instance, companies like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon rely heavily on international talent to drive innovation and growth, and a decrease in migrant intake could have significant implications for their ability to attract and retain top talent. In fact, a 2020 report by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that the share of foreign-born workers in the US tech sector had increased from 15% in 2000 to 31% in 2019. This trend is likely to continue, with companies increasingly looking to international talent to drive innovation and growth.

The implications of a decrease in migrant intake could also be felt in the research community, where international collaboration is increasingly important. A 2020 survey by the Association of Computing Machinery found that 75% of respondents believed that international collaboration was essential for driving innovation in the field of artificial intelligence. Similarly, a 2019 report by the National Science Foundation found that international collaborations were critical for driving breakthroughs in fields like materials science and biotechnology. A decrease in migrant intake could therefore have significant implications for the research community, potentially stifling innovation and slowing progress in these fields.

The shift in public opinion on migrant intake is part of a broader pattern of increasing anti-immigrant sentiment in Western societies. This trend is closely tied to rising nationalism and protectionism, which have become increasingly prevalent in recent years. A 2020 report by the International Migration Institute found that 60% of respondents in a global survey believed that immigration had a negative impact on the economy, while 55% believed it had a negative impact on the country's culture. Similarly, a 2019 report by the Pew Research Center found that 53% of Americans believed that immigration was a major factor in the country's economic problems.