Labor lashes Coalition immigration plan as Usman Khawaja calls policy ‘appalling’
TL;DR
Labor has criticized Angus Taylor's immigration plan favoring migrants from liberal democracies, calling it 'appalling.' The opposition warns it could alienate multicultural communities, particularly Chinese Australians.
Key points
- Labor warns against Angus Taylor's immigration plan
- Plan favors migrants from liberal democracies
- Criticism includes potential alienation of multicultural communities
- Usman Khawaja calls the policy 'appalling'
- Concerns over adherence to Australian values
Angus Taylor’s plans to favour immigration from liberal democracies would fundamentally change the character of the nation, Labor has warned, challenging the Coalition to explain where existing deportation powers are insufficient.
Home affairs minister Tony Burke lashed Taylor’s new hardline policy, which was unveiled on Tuesday, accusing the Coalition of chasing voters who are moving to Pauline Hanson’s One Nation.
The opposition leader said migrants from liberal democracies had a greater likelihood of subscribing to Australian values, “compared to those migrating from places ruled by fundamentalists, extremists and dictators”.
He warned existing laws allowed individuals who reject core Australian values to settle in the country, accusing Labor of turning a blind eye to “a reality of immigration and integration”.
Labor believes the Coalition plan will further alienate voters in multicultural communities, including electorates with large numbers of Chinese Australian voters.
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Burke said on Wednesday that Taylor’s plan – the first in a series of promised announcements – was a decision about “what sort of country we are”.
“I still want them to provide the example of the person who we can’t currently cancel or refuse a visa to, who they want us to be able to,” he said.
“Mr Taylor has been asked a couple of times to provide this exact example and hasn’t, simply because what they are wanting is a discussion and a meme.
“There is no policy attached to what they’ve announced.”
Cricket great Usman Khawaja called the policy “appalling” on social media. He challenged Taylor to say plainly that the policy would discriminate against Muslims.
“Don’t beat around the bush by using words such as ‘extremist, ‘fundamentalist’ and ‘dictators’. Most of the world shares the same values as Australia, presumably the most important in any democracy, respect everyone and don’t break the law.
“Don’t judge individuals based on their governments or government representatives. If we did that you wouldn’t be allowed anywhere at this moment.”
The Coalition plans to add the existing Australian values statement to the Migration Act, to give the government the power to cancel visas and deport people not subscribing to its goals.
The statement calls for respect for freedom and the dignity of individuals, freedom of religion, a commitment to the rule of law, equality, and a “fair go” for all.
A new “safe country list” would be introduced, to fast-track refusals for asylum claims from countries deemed safe to return to. The list would be based on a similar list used by UK authorities and would be administered by the Home Affairs Department.
Asked how the new policy would work during a campaign stop in Queensland, Taylor cited the Bondi beach terror attack in December, and said migrants who did not believe in Australia’s parliamentary democracy or the rule of law should be removed.
He also cited sharia law and individuals holding extremist views.
“At the moment, the situation is that the values statement is not enforceable. It can’t be used on its own as the basis for cancellation or refusal,” Taylor said.
“We’re proposing to change that by putting it into the legislation and making it enforceable and making it a basis for cancellation and refusal.”
Taylor also wants permanent residents to be required to learn English.
Anne Aly, the minister for multicultural affairs, told ABC TV the Coalition was departing from the principles of Australia’s non-discriminatory immigration system with the plan.
But she agreed some English competency was appropriate and said most migrants wanted to learn and speak English.
“Everybody needs a functional level of English language to access services, to be able to have a smooth settlement journey and to be able to fully integrate into Australian society.”
Noncitizens would also have to wait longer to access social security support under the Coalition policy and a Taylor government would establish new enhanced screening coordination within Home Affairs and better integrate intelligence and enforcement capabilities from Asio, the federal police and border force.
“The Coalition’s Australian values migration plan will protect Australians’ way of life and restore integrity to our migration system,” Taylor said.
Q&A
What is Angus Taylor's immigration plan?
Angus Taylor's immigration plan aims to prioritize migrants from liberal democracies, fundamentally changing Australia's immigration character.
Why did Labor criticize the Coalition's immigration policy?
Labor criticized the Coalition's immigration policy for potentially alienating multicultural communities and for its hardline stance on immigration.
How does Usman Khawaja view the immigration policy?
Usman Khawaja has called the immigration policy 'appalling,' reflecting concerns over its impact on Australian values and multiculturalism.
What are the potential consequences of the Coalition's immigration plan?
The Coalition's immigration plan could further alienate voters in multicultural communities, particularly those with significant Chinese Australian populations.
