Opposition Leader Angus Taylor says he wants to limit migration to Australia based on “values”, rather than race or religion, following anti-migration rallies targeting specific minority groups.
During the Q&A session after Taylor’s speech at Centre for Independent Studies in Sydney, moderator Michael Stutchbury noted that anti-immigration ‘March for Australia’ rallies have specifically targeted the Indian community, mentioning that even Liberal-aligned figures like Jacinta Price had become entangled in the rhetoric.
In response Taylor expressed sympathy with the local South Asian community, and pivoted the conversation toward security vetting and radicalism.
“I have a big Indian and Nepalese population in my electorate. [Deputy Jane Hume]… and myself were there yesterday at Oran Park talking to members of that wonderful community,” Taylor said.
Taylor argued that while Australia should not discriminate based on race or religion, it should “shut the door” on people who do not believe in democracy, obeying Australian laws, or basic freedoms.
“We clearly don’t want to let radical terrorists, Islamist extremists, into the country. I mean that is clear. I think that’s a very widely held view across the Australian community, including the Muslim community.“
Taylor was also asked to confirm reports that the Coalition would seek a temporary three-year ban on processing visas from regions associated with radical groups. While he did not explicitly confirm the ban, he said there are “clearly some high-risk parts of the world” where hatred and violence are more likely to originate.
He called for intelligence agencies to advise the government on where to “shut the door” to individuals who threaten the Australian way of life.
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