Immigrants wary of becoming political fodder as migration debate heats up

Immigrants living in Australia are wary of becoming political pawns as the migration debate intensifies. Barbara Dervodel, who has lived in the country for ten years, expresses her pride in being an Australian but is concerned about the current discourse. She emphasizes that many migrants share her unease, fearing that they could become fodder for political arguments as both major parties and One Nation debate migration numbers.

Annaliese Claydon, a citizen of the United States who became an Australian citizen on Australia Day, worries that people may not understand the hardships migrants face. She highlights the emotional journey and temporary separations migrants endure, urging others to reconsider their support for One Nation if they appreciate the difficulties migrants face.

Alan Gamlen, director of the Australian National University's Migration Hub, criticizes the current migration debate for being driven by misinformation. He argues that net overseas migration (NOM) is an abstract figure that fails to capture the true issues. Instead, he emphasizes the need for a better migration debate informed by an independent arbiter and a focus on temporary migration, which has tripled since the early 2000s.

According to the Department of Home Affairs, the number of temporary visa holders in Australia has increased from 1.75 million in 2012 to nearly 2.9 million. Professor Gamlen proposes that the focus should be on regulating the temporary migration program while balancing economic needs and community values. He advocates for a coherent national population policy that considers the size of the temporary migration program and its impact on regional communities.