Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called for a more respectful and fact-based discussion on immigration, saying political debate should remain civil despite growing divisions over migration policy.
Speaking on ABC Melbourne, Albanese declined to describe the opposition’s proposal to remove welfare access for permanent residents as racist, while criticising what he said was a move by the Coalition to compete with One Nation on immigration issues.
“Quite clearly, [Angus Taylor] has decided to compete with One Nation in that sphere,” Albanese said.
Call for Respectful Political Discussion
The prime minister said immigration policy should be debated on factual grounds rather than through slogans or personal attacks.
“I’m not about using slogans,” he said.
Albanese argued that some permanent residents face practical barriers to becoming Australian citizens, including people from countries that do not allow dual citizenship.
He pointed to migrants from countries such as India and China, as well as long-term residents from the United Kingdom and other nations, saying many have spent most of their lives in Australia without becoming citizens.
Debate Should Remain Civil
Albanese said Australians should be able to discuss immigration policy while maintaining respect for differing views.
“We need to be able to have discourse, which is civil, where people are able to discuss things in a factual way, put different views, sure, but do it in a way that has some respect rather than the way that discourse is occurring,” he said.
The prime minister made the comments amid increased attention on immigration policy and the growing prominence of One Nation in political debate.
Diversity Strengthens Australia
Asked by a listener whether concerns about immigration were linked to increased levels of non-white migration, Albanese said Australians hold a wide range of views and should not be treated as a single group.
“There are a range of factors which will drive people’s views, and I don’t think Australians aren’t homogenous. They don’t have one view, people will have a range of different views,” he said.
Albanese said Australia’s diversity remained one of its strengths.
“What I say is that we are stronger because of the diversity that is here in this country.”