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The fight to be most authoritarian on immigration policy continues.
Immigration minister Tony Burke has responded to Angus Taylor’s speech, not to explain why it’s wrong, but to say that it adds nothing new to laws that Labor has already passed.
The Australian Media seems to have completely forgotten the combating antisemitism, hate and extremism bill which passed in January. This law includes a raft of authoritarian changes to Visa processing based on public statements and association. In March, the minister also passed a law to give himself the power to ban whole cohorts that are fleeing war from coming to Australia lest they seek protection. And in late 2024, this government also gave itself the power to ban whole countries from travelling to Australia where a minister thinks it’s in the national interest.
The reality is that Labor has already quietly instituted a discriminatory immigration policy - but it’s the kind that’s even harder to challenge legally, because the political, racial and religious discrimination happens behind a curtain, under the banner of ministerial discretion.
Burke also made it clear that Labor is tougher when it comes to immigration numbers, and cutting down the number of people in Australia who seek protection by sending them off to Nauru Island. He also made it clear that he is tougher on Palestinians.
He blamed the high immigration numbers during Covid on the policy settings of the previous government, and failed to engage fully on the underlying grievance about housing and infrastructure.
Ultimately a debate which revolves around immigrants suits Labor, as it stands to gain more seats from the collapse of the LNP.
Labor carved out the most severe and authoritarian terrain and counters it with softer reassurances.
The real challenge goes to multicultural leaders and peaks — will they continue with short term vision to uphold Labor, or will they demand an alternative. By continuing to uphold Labor as the safe option they are entrenching authoritarianism deeper and deeper into Australia. There is no counterpoint.
