Dutton's target on migrants a 'race to the bottom'

Peter Dutton says if elected his government would impose a two-year ban on foreigners buying homes. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

Federal Labor has been warned not to be sucked in by the "racist trope" of blaming migrants for the nation's housing crisis, as the opposition pledges to slash the permanent intake if it wins power.

Leader Peter Dutton has promised that if elected in 2025, a coalition government would introduce a two-year ban on foreigners buying existing homes and cut the number of foreign students.