Overwhelming number of Australians say the country doesn't need any more immigration

An overwhelming majority of Australians oppose high immigration, fearing it could affect their way of life, a study has found. A study found that half the Australian electorate want a reduction in immigration due to the belief it affects the way of life The survey of 2,029 people was taken in October and November 2019 - four months before Prime Minister Scott Morrison closed Australia's border to slow the spread of COVID-19. Australia's population growth 1881: 2.3 million 1918: 5 million 1959: 10 million 1981: 15 million 1991: 17.4 million 2004: 20 million 2013: 23 million 2016: 24 million 2018: 25 million Sources: Australian Bureau of Statistics; House of Representatives Standing Committee for Long-Term Strategies, December 1994 Half the people polled wanted a reduction in immigration, fearing it caused more pollution and congestion. 'High immigration was responsible for the deterioration of the quality of life in Australia's big cities, as well as stressing its natural environment,' they said in an opinion piece for News Corp. 'Moreover, at least half the electorate do not support the progressive cultural values that left elites regard as legitimating high immigration. Former Labor prime minister Kevin Rudd a decade ago declared himself to be a supporter of a 'big Australia', with business leaders also favouring high population growth.