One Nation Proposes Forcing Foreigners To Sell Their Homes Within 2 Years

Brisbane - Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party has made a bold policy proposal to force non-citizens to sell their residential properties within two years, framing it as a measure to prioritise local buyers amid a persistent housing crisis in Australia.

In a social media post clarifying the policy, Senator Hanson, the party’s leader, said home in the country should be owned only by citizens.

 “Australian homes should be prioritised for Australians. If you are a temporary visa holder or a foreign citizen residing overseas, One Nation will give you two years to sell their property to an Australian," she said.

Senator Hanson added that the party would remove the ability for international students, non-permanent residents, and non-Australian citizens to buy future property in the country.

One Nation, which statistics recently revealed that it is now the most popular party in Australia ahead of Labor, has long advocated a permanent ban on foreign ownership of residential property, arguing it would increase housing supply for citizens.

In earlier remarks, Senator Hanson has said foreign owners should be given time to sell to avoid flooding the market, with unsold properties potentially subject to government repossession.

“I don’t believe that foreigners should own any housing in Australia or up our farming land,” she has previously declared.

The policy has sparked controversy and faced immediate scrutiny, not least within One Nation’s own ranks.

Senator Barnaby Joyce, appearing on Sky News, initially appeared to suggest the measure could apply more broadly and include permanent residents, prompting a swift backflip.

“This policy is formative, but on further investigation and discussions with One Nation, no, we are not going to be kicking permanent residents out of their house,” he clarified.

Another senator reportedly struggled in a radio interview described by the host as a “train wreck” when pressed on implementation details.

Senator Hanson intervened to narrow the scope, emphasising that permanent residents, many on a path to citizenship who live, work and pay taxes in Australia, would be exempt.

The focus, she indicated, is on temporary visa holders and absentee foreign owners, including so-called “ghost homes.” 

Reactions across the political spectrum have been swift and largely critical.

Labor figures have questioned the practicality and fairness of forcing sales, with Housing Minister Clare O’Neil, and others, pointing to the struggles of young Australians in the property market while pointing that foreign ownership represents a relatively small share of the housing stock, estimates often cited between 1% and 2% of dwellings.

Opposition deputy leader, Jane Hume, expressed alarm, saying if the policy involved kicking people out of their homes, it should set off alarm bells for millions of Australians.

Property industry voices and legal experts have also raised concerns about potential impacts on investment, property rights and the broader economy, while some economists note that existing federal restrictions already limit foreign purchases of established homes, with recent government extensions of those bans.

Supporters of One Nation, however, have welcomed the stance as a necessary response to high migration, rising prices and limited housing supply.

The party ties the proposal to wider policies, including sharp cuts to immigration levels, arguing that Australian homes should fundamentally serve Australian citizens.

The controversy comes as housing affordability remains a top voter concern, with many first-home buyers locked out amid high interest rates and strong demand.

One Nation’s proposed housing plan will likely feature in ongoing political debate, especially as parties position themselves ahead of future elections.

Critics argue the measure could unsettle property markets and raise diplomatic questions with key trading partners, while proponents insist it is a straightforward matter of national priority in a country facing a supply crunch.

Senator Hanson has repeatedly emphasised, for One Nation there are “no apologies for prioritising Australians first.”