Abul Rizvi
@abulrizvi.bsky.social
Interested in population and immigration policy. Father of 2 daughters and 2 grandsons. Collingwood supporter since 1968.
For 30 years, OZ has been developing regional visa arrangements to help regional employers access the labour they need. How would those fare under a Hanson Govt? independentaustralia.net/politics/pol...
The regional visa dilemma facing Pauline Hanson
Pauline Hanson's biggest problem is that regional Australia depends on the migration she opposes.
independentaustralia.net
February 4, 2026 at 2:36 AM
For 30 years, OZ has been developing regional visa arrangements to help regional employers access the labour they need. How would those fare under a Hanson Govt? independentaustralia.net/politics/pol...
This is result of ageing. Fertility rate in France above 1.6 births per woman (higher than OZ). France median age is 43 (OZ is 38). OZ median age projected to reach 43 in 30-40 years. Depends on level of NOM & changes in fertility. www.france24.com/en/france/20...
Deaths overtake births in France for first time since World War II
More people died than were born in France last year for the first time since the end of World War II, official figures released on Tuesday indicated. France has long maintained comparatively high birt...
www.france24.com
February 1, 2026 at 2:06 AM
This is result of ageing. Fertility rate in France above 1.6 births per woman (higher than OZ). France median age is 43 (OZ is 38). OZ median age projected to reach 43 in 30-40 years. Depends on level of NOM & changes in fertility. www.france24.com/en/france/20...
Not clear how this idea reconciles with s116 of the Constitution or the Racial Discrimination Act. Might work if it applied to all religions but even then could be Constitutionally problematic.
Morrison’s taboo-breaking proposal in Israel | Watch in full
YouTube video by The Australian
m.youtube.com
January 28, 2026 at 6:57 AM
Not clear how this idea reconciles with s116 of the Constitution or the Racial Discrimination Act. Might work if it applied to all religions but even then could be Constitutionally problematic.
While i disagree with much of what Lydia Thorpe says, her proposed amendments to the Bill should have been adopted. No govt in the world should be beyond criticism. johnmenadue.com/post/2026/01... %26 Irritations
How the new hate laws could chill protest in Australia
Australia’s new hate laws give ministers broad powers to ban groups – but uncertainty about what counts as a “hate crime” risks chilling legitimate political protest.
johnmenadue.com
January 28, 2026 at 2:21 AM
While i disagree with much of what Lydia Thorpe says, her proposed amendments to the Bill should have been adopted. No govt in the world should be beyond criticism. johnmenadue.com/post/2026/01... %26 Irritations
After 30 years of being obsessed with immigration, Hanson’s party still has no idea of the numbers or how the system works. A bit like Trump really. independentaustralia.net/politics/pol...
Trumpism, but make it Australian: One Nation’s migration fantasy
By borrowing Trump’s rhetoric while ignoring Australian law, One Nation offers fear, fantasy and cruelty in place of workable migration policy.
independentaustralia.net
January 27, 2026 at 5:33 AM
After 30 years of being obsessed with immigration, Hanson’s party still has no idea of the numbers or how the system works. A bit like Trump really. independentaustralia.net/politics/pol...
This visa would have been cancelled under existing s501 Character provisions not the new hate group provisions. He clearly fails the villification and incitement of discord parts of existing s501. www.skynews.com.au/australia-ne...
No Cookies | Sky News Australia
SkyNews.com.au — Australian News Headlines & World News Online from the best award winning journalists
www.skynews.com.au
January 26, 2026 at 9:17 PM
This visa would have been cancelled under existing s501 Character provisions not the new hate group provisions. He clearly fails the villification and incitement of discord parts of existing s501. www.skynews.com.au/australia-ne...
I am not sure this is right. Any listing of a hate group will be subject to Parliamentary disallowance. While procedural fairness is excluded, groups listed may still appeal under ADJR to Federal Court as these are administrative decisions. Groups successfully listed likely to go underground.
"So basically, once you're labelled with this, there's no avenue for you to really appeal it based on its unfairness."
The rushed new hate speech laws could have serious consequences for Australia.
@ebonybennett.bsky.social @browne90.bsky.social #auspol
The rushed new hate speech laws could have serious consequences for Australia.
@ebonybennett.bsky.social @browne90.bsky.social #auspol
January 23, 2026 at 10:21 AM
I am not sure this is right. Any listing of a hate group will be subject to Parliamentary disallowance. While procedural fairness is excluded, groups listed may still appeal under ADJR to Federal Court as these are administrative decisions. Groups successfully listed likely to go underground.
On evening of 11 February 2025, I will be debating Prof Holden on question “How Many Australians Should There Be”? This will be at State Library of NSW. Registrations are now open. www.royalsoc.org.au/events/1338t...
1338th OGM and Open Lecture. How many Australians should there be? - The Royal Society of NSW
“How many Australians should there be?” Dr Abul Rizvi PSM FRSN (1) andScientia Professor Richard Holden FRSN FASSA (2) (1) Former Deputy Secretary, Department of Immigration(2) Professor of Economic...
www.royalsoc.org.au
January 23, 2026 at 10:08 AM
On evening of 11 February 2025, I will be debating Prof Holden on question “How Many Australians Should There Be”? This will be at State Library of NSW. Registrations are now open. www.royalsoc.org.au/events/1338t...
While net migration is falling (contrary to IPA forecasts), it’s unlikely to fall as far as Treasury is forecasting. That’s largely due to a number of govt policy changes, including for NZ citizens & recent increase in student planning levels. johnmenadue.com/post/2026/01... %26 Irritations
Can we rely on Treasury’s latest net migration forecasts?
Treasury’s Net Overseas Migration forecasts don’t match current visa settings and trends. Migration may fall less than predicted – and stay higher for longer.
johnmenadue.com
January 22, 2026 at 9:23 PM
While net migration is falling (contrary to IPA forecasts), it’s unlikely to fall as far as Treasury is forecasting. That’s largely due to a number of govt policy changes, including for NZ citizens & recent increase in student planning levels. johnmenadue.com/post/2026/01... %26 Irritations
ABS labour force data showed a further fall in unemployment even with a higher participation rate. That will further slow the decline in NOM and places more doubt on Treasury’s NOM forecast of 260,000 in 25-26.
January 22, 2026 at 2:23 AM
ABS labour force data showed a further fall in unemployment even with a higher participation rate. That will further slow the decline in NOM and places more doubt on Treasury’s NOM forecast of 260,000 in 25-26.
So which aspects of the hate laws do the Nationals hate so much? Have they explained that? www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Breaking: Eight remaining Nationals in shadow ministry quit in solidarity
The eight remaining Nationals in the shadow ministry quit their roles in solidarity with three senior colleagues dumped for opposing new hate laws.
www.abc.net.au
January 21, 2026 at 9:27 AM
So which aspects of the hate laws do the Nationals hate so much? Have they explained that? www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Net permanent & longterm movement for 1st 5 months of 25/26 was 193510 compared with 174110 for 1st 5 months of 24/25. This does not necessarily mean net migration is rising even though some media will push this. Take that reporting with a grain of salt.
January 16, 2026 at 3:13 AM
Net permanent & longterm movement for 1st 5 months of 25/26 was 193510 compared with 174110 for 1st 5 months of 24/25. This does not necessarily mean net migration is rising even though some media will push this. Take that reporting with a grain of salt.
An announcement is not a plan. It’s not even the concept of a plan. www.afr.com/politics/fed...
Coalition plan to drive down temporary visa holders
Coalition immigration spokesman Paul Scarr said managing the number of people in Australia required a policy that dealt with both arrivals and departures.
www.afr.com
January 14, 2026 at 11:15 PM
An announcement is not a plan. It’s not even the concept of a plan. www.afr.com/politics/fed...
Trump hasnt named any countries to which this new tariff will apply. By next week he will have forgotten he made the post. I doubt Putin or Xi are worried. www.express.co.uk/news/world/2...
Donald Trump issues 'final and conclusive' order on Iran – bad news for Putin
Donald Trump has sent a warning that he says is 'effective immediately'
www.express.co.uk
January 13, 2026 at 2:44 AM
Trump hasnt named any countries to which this new tariff will apply. By next week he will have forgotten he made the post. I doubt Putin or Xi are worried. www.express.co.uk/news/world/2...
At any other point in US history, or in any functioning democracy, Trump would by now be in a mental asylum or in gaol. www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/s...
Statement from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell
Good evening. On Friday, the Department of Justice served the Federal Reserve with grand jury subpoenas, threatening a criminal indictment related to my testi
www.federalreserve.gov
January 12, 2026 at 4:50 AM
At any other point in US history, or in any functioning democracy, Trump would by now be in a mental asylum or in gaol. www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/s...
Extraordinary that this article is in the Murdoch press. Were the editors asleep to let this through? www.news.com.au/world/north-...
www.news.com.au
January 12, 2026 at 4:19 AM
Extraordinary that this article is in the Murdoch press. Were the editors asleep to let this through? www.news.com.au/world/north-...
Very revealing but hardly surprising. johnmenadue.com/post/2026/01... %26 Irritations
Best of 2025 - Who are 'Advance' and what are they doing to our politics?
Launched in 2018 as a conservative answer to GetUp!, the group Advance likes to style itself as the voice of the average person against “the elite.
johnmenadue.com
January 11, 2026 at 10:57 PM
Very revealing but hardly surprising. johnmenadue.com/post/2026/01... %26 Irritations
It’s worth looking at the facts around Jacinta Price’s claims the Govt is manipulating the migration/citizenship system to deliberately favour migrants from India. independentaustralia.net/politics/pol...
Jacinta Price claims Labor is importing Indian voters
Migration claims about the Labor Government fall apart under scrutiny – the data tells a different story.
independentaustralia.net
January 10, 2026 at 4:18 AM
It’s worth looking at the facts around Jacinta Price’s claims the Govt is manipulating the migration/citizenship system to deliberately favour migrants from India. independentaustralia.net/politics/pol...
A govt managed entrance exam would make these processes far more robust. It would align our approach with that taken by the best universities in the world. www.news.com.au/finance/econ...
www.news.com.au
January 9, 2026 at 8:03 PM
A govt managed entrance exam would make these processes far more robust. It would align our approach with that taken by the best universities in the world. www.news.com.au/finance/econ...
Treasury has modelled case study for OZ population stabilising at 30m by 2035-36. Requires NOM of 32k pa. We haven’t had NOM at that level since 1991 Recession. Means median age rising from 38 to 47 by 2065-66. Age dependency ratio rises from 26.5 to 50.4 by 65-66.
January 9, 2026 at 3:41 AM
Treasury has modelled case study for OZ population stabilising at 30m by 2035-36. Requires NOM of 32k pa. We haven’t had NOM at that level since 1991 Recession. Means median age rising from 38 to 47 by 2065-66. Age dependency ratio rises from 26.5 to 50.4 by 65-66.
Won’t be many international organisations the US will remain a member of. Back in OZ that will excite One Nation types who can’t comprehend the merits of cooperation over conflict. apnews.com/article/unit...
US will exit 66 international organizations as it further retreats from global cooperation
The Trump administration will withdraw from dozens of international organizations, including the U.N.’s population agency and the U.N. treaty that establishes international climate negotiations.
apnews.com
January 8, 2026 at 9:08 AM
Won’t be many international organisations the US will remain a member of. Back in OZ that will excite One Nation types who can’t comprehend the merits of cooperation over conflict. apnews.com/article/unit...
Abbott has been expressing strong views on immigration policy in recent years. I thought there would be merit in comparing his current demands with his actual record when he was PM. independentaustralia.net/politics/pol...
Tony Abbott’s hypocrisy on immigration policy: What his time in office shows
Tony Abbott’s recent immigration rhetoric sits uneasily alongside the policies and outcomes of his own prime ministership.
independentaustralia.net
January 5, 2026 at 5:42 AM
Abbott has been expressing strong views on immigration policy in recent years. I thought there would be merit in comparing his current demands with his actual record when he was PM. independentaustralia.net/politics/pol...
At end Nov25, there were 945 Venezuelan citizens in OZ on temporary visas. What will they now do? Will OZ govt allow them to extend stay until situation in Venezuela is resolved (whenever that will be)?
January 3, 2026 at 10:01 PM
At end Nov25, there were 945 Venezuelan citizens in OZ on temporary visas. What will they now do? Will OZ govt allow them to extend stay until situation in Venezuela is resolved (whenever that will be)?
These documents must have fallen down behind Pam Bondi’s couch? www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
Justice Department is reviewing 5.2 million pages of Jeffrey Epstein files
The department is seeking to enlist roughly 400 employees in the effort, which is expected to run from Jan. 5 to Jan. 20, two sources familiar with the plan told NBC News.
www.nbcnews.com
January 2, 2026 at 3:57 AM
These documents must have fallen down behind Pam Bondi’s couch? www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
This article carefully avoids mentioning the fact the father married an OZ citizen/PR in around 2000 but instead tries to imply the guy stayed here longterm on a student visa. Not true. www.afr.com/politics/fed...
Bondi attack shows why we should rewrite immigration policy, not civil liberties
If we want fewer bollards and fewer memorials, we must follow the lead of European nations and stop treating Australia’s civic culture as something negotiable or impolite to assert.
www.afr.com
December 25, 2025 at 1:24 AM
This article carefully avoids mentioning the fact the father married an OZ citizen/PR in around 2000 but instead tries to imply the guy stayed here longterm on a student visa. Not true. www.afr.com/politics/fed...