Independent Member for Kooyong, Dr Monique Ryan, has slammed the Coalition’s new migration policy, warning that Australia is at risk of importing the fear and division that characterises debate about immigration in the United States and parts of Europe.
Dr Ryan: “The race to the bottom on immigration is well and truly on between the Liberals and One Nation. Today’s savage cuts by Angus Taylor show that the countries’ conservative parties are in lockstep on divisive, harmful policies which scapegoat the migrant communities vital to Australia’s economic and cultural future.
“Australians want a migration system that is fair, orderly, sustainable and contributes to our economic prosperity. I hear this from the Kooyong community every week. What we don’t want, and do not benefit from as a nation, an economy, or a culture, is for migrants to be blamed for every challenge facing the country.”
Dr Ryan has also expressed concern about the sharply divisive tone of the migration debate.
Dr Ryan: “Angus Taylor’s cuts to migration numbers are a desperate attempt to preserve his political fortunes at the cost of our economic growth and social cohesion.”
“I’m deeply uncomfortable with Pauline Hanson and Angus Taylor’s clumsy attempts to turn migrants into political punching bags. This is not who we are as a country.”
“Australia needs skilled workers. We have to maintain a strong migration program that attracts nurses, doctors, aged care workers, engineers, researchers, tradespeople and more. Our immigration policy should be guided by those priorities which are in our national interest, not by fear campaigns.”
Dr Ryan said Australia should have a constructive, evidence-based conversation about population growth, infrastructure, housing supply, and workforce planning, but warned that slamming the foot on the brake on migration will do nothing to solve the complex economic challenges facing Australia.
Dr Ryan: “Modern Australia is a migrant nation. Our economic and cultural success has been built by generations of people who came here seeking new opportunities and who helped build a strong, prosperous, and diverse country.
“Migration has helped drive our economic growth, filled skills shortages, strengthened our university sector and health system, enriched our communities and developed the industries we rely on every day.”
“Recent governments have failed to deliver the housing affordability, infrastructure investment, and long-term workforce planning required to support an aging population. Migrants aren’t at fault for these failures; the Labor and Liberal parties are.”
