AUSTRALIA MUST DECIDE ITS OWN FUTURE — NOT FOREIGN LOBBYISTS
By Jamie McIntyre
Jamie McIntyre, political commentator and founder of the Australian National Review and the 21st Century Australia Party, says Australia must urgently reclaim control of its immigration policy before it is further shaped by external forces that do not represent the Australian people.
Australia stands at a crossroads.
A nation built on immigration, strengthened by generations of newcomers who rolled up their sleeves and helped forge its prosperity. Yet today, the conversation around immigration has been hijacked, distorted, and in many ways dictated by forces that do not represent the Australian people.
Let’s be clear.
Immigration, done right, is a powerful engine for growth. It builds nations. It fills skills gaps. It injects energy, ambition, and diversity into the economy. But uncontrolled immigration, poorly managed immigration, or immigration shaped by foreign interests instead of national priorities… that is a recipe for division, not prosperity.
And that’s exactly what Australians are witnessing.
Across the West, including here in Australia, we are seeing policies that appear less about national interest and more about external influence. Foreign lobbyists, representing agendas that are not aligned with everyday Australians, have had an outsized voice in shaping immigration settings.
That must end.
No country can remain sovereign if it allows outsiders to dictate who comes in, how many arrive, and under what conditions. Immigration policy should be decided by Australians. Full stop. Whether you were born here or migrated here decades ago and contributed to building this country, the future of Australia belongs to you, not to foreign interests seeking to manipulate outcomes.
Because when immigration is mismanaged, the consequences are real.
Communities become strained. Infrastructure buckles. Social cohesion erodes. And in some cases, low-quality migration that does not align with Australia’s needs can deepen division rather than strengthen unity.
But there is a smarter path forward.
Australia doesn’t need to shut the door. It needs to choose wisely who walks through it.
Quality immigration. Controlled immigration. Immigration in the right numbers.
And importantly, immigration that supports national priorities such as rebuilding manufacturing, restoring economic independence, and reducing reliance on fragile global supply chains.
Here’s where practical thinking comes in.
One of the biggest challenges facing Australia is the cost of labour. It’s no secret that high labour costs make it difficult for local industries to compete globally. Manufacturing, construction, and trades are all under pressure.
Yet around the world, there are millions of people who would jump at the opportunity to come to Australia, work hard, and build a better life.
So why not create a structured pathway?
An apprentice-style immigration model.
New migrants could enter Australia under a system where, for the first three to four years, they work at lower, structured wages while gaining skills, contributing to the economy, and proving their commitment. Over time, they transition to full wages, full participation, and ultimately, the opportunity for citizenship.
This isn’t exploitation. It’s opportunity.
It mirrors the apprenticeship system Australians already understand. You start at a lower level, you learn, you prove yourself, and you rise.
Such a model would:
• Provide industries with access to affordable labour
• Help rebuild Australia’s manufacturing base
• Create a clear pathway for migrants to integrate and succeed
• Reward effort, contribution, and commitment
Most importantly, it puts control back where it belongs, with Australians.
Because the real issue isn’t immigration itself.
It’s who controls it.
Australia must reject the idea that foreign lobbyists or external agendas should shape its future. We must return to a system where immigration serves the national interest, strengthens unity, and builds long-term prosperity.
The solution isn’t complicated.
Strong borders. Smart policy. National control.
And a simple principle that should never be up for negotiation:
Australia decides Australia’s future.