Australians have reacted strongly after Pauline Hanson declared that “foreigners who aren’t citizens shouldn’t own Australian homes” during a heated online post.
Her comments landed as the Australian Government moves to a temporary ban on foreigners buying established homes from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2027. Established dwellings are residential properties that have already been lived in or previously sold. Temporary residents can still apply to buy land or new homes.
Many Australians supported Hanson’s stance, arguing it puts locals first in a tight market. “It’s not a bold call, it’s bloody common sense,” one wrote. Another said, “Australians first. Other countries put their people first so why cant we?” A third agreed: “It’s not a silly idea considering so many countries already do it.”
Some also pointed to overseas rules, including in Indonesia, where foreigners cannot own “freehold” land in Bali because it is reserved for Indonesian citizens.
But others warned the idea risks lumping in people who live and work here long term. “Disagree with this. My partner is not a citizen but has permanent residency. We own a home together. She also runs her own business and contributes significantly to the community that we are a part of,” one person argued. Another commented, “I’ve been in Australia for nearly six years, working towards permanent residency,” adding, “We work just as hard as anyone else, pay our taxes, just like you and work hard for every cent we have. We have just as much right to own a home on a permanent resident visa.”
Hanson also criticised the major parties over immigration. “Immigration is a question of quantity and quality,” she wrote. “I don’t want anyone here who is incompatible with our culture. I have been warning of this for decades, and look where we are.”
Opposition Leader Angus Taylor has also attacked current settings, saying immigration is “out of control” and promising a tougher approach if he became Prime Minister, including deporting those who overstay their visas. “That migration has added extreme pressure to the housing market, to infrastructure, and to essential services,” Taylor said. “Those pressures have shattered Australians’ quality of life.”
Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy pushed back, telling the ABC Taylor was “desperately trying to compete with One Nation in a race to the bottom”.
Home Affairs Department figures show about 25,000 people without visas have remained in Australia for more than 10 years.
