Freelancer CEO Matt Barrie criticized the Albanese Labor government for increasing immigration to the highest levels, arguing it was about inflating GDP rather than benefiting the economy. He claimed that Australia’s reliance on immigration was a poorly kept secret and that it was causing pain to citizens, as evidenced by rising inflation, declining wages, rampant homelessness, overloaded infrastructure, bureaucracy, insolvencies, rising living costs, and decreasing purchasing power. He pointed out that most migrants were struggling with rental stress, and increasing immigration was plunging middle and working classes into poverty. Barrie’s comments come amid rising rent and housing prices, and Labor’s National Housing Accord plan has been scrutinized by experts who claim it is inadequate to provide homes to the current and increasing population. The Southeast Queensland Union of Renters argued that the blame for the housing crisis lies with politicians, landlords, and the real estate industry and not migrants.