On Tuesday, Opposition Leader Angus Taylor introduced the Coalition’s immigration policy platform.
The ‘Australian Values Migration Plan’ includes extra funding for deporting visitors staying illegally, and more stringent visa screening processes to “put Australian values first”.
Immigration Minister Tony Burke said the policy is “entirely about sending a vibe to One Nation.”
Here’s what the policy includes.
Policy
In a speech at the Menzies Research Centre, Taylor outlined three main areas of the Coalition’s policy:
“Putting Australian values first”
- Centred on the existing ‘Australian Values Statement’ which includes freedom of religion and speech, belief in a ‘fair go’, equality, and English as the national language;
- Ensuring visitors to Australia are aligned with the statement and visa refusals for not upholding it;
- Longer wait times for non-citizens to access social security; and
- Making it obligatory for permanent visa holders to learn English.
“Shutting the door to system abuse”
- Establish a list of ‘safe’ countries whose citizens cannot apply for protection visas;
- More funding to identify and deport non-citizens staying in Australia illegally; and
- Remove state-funded legal assistance for appeals of visa cancellations.
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“Show a red light to radicals”
- Enhanced visa applicant screening, including via social media;
- Integrated Australian Border Force, ASIO and AFP capabilities; and
- “Real-time, risk-based visa vetting.”
Speech
"Immigration numbers are too high and consequently, Australians can see the country they love changing for the worse," Taylor said.
"Those who migrate from liberal democracies have a greater likelihood of subscribing to Australian values compared to those coming from other places ruled by fundamentalists, extremists and dictators."
He said: "We don't discriminate based on nationality, race, gender or faith. But for an immigration program to work in the national interest, it must discriminate based on values."
Opposition
Amnesty International called the policy “divisive, discriminatory, and lacking in humanity.”
Campaigner Zaki Haidari said there is “no need” for “Trumpian-like policies that seek to divide communities or stigmatise people based on where they come from.”
Immigration Minister Tony Burke said: “Not one line in the speech would deliver an extra job, create an extra house or keep anyone safer.”
“Millions of Australians will be asking why the Liberals have a problem with their parents, who don’t speak great English but are great Australians," Burke said.
In his speech, the Opposition Leader said learning English would be an obligation for permanent visa applicants.
