National racial justice organisation, Democracy in Colour, condemns the Coalition’s new migration policy as a dangerous escalation of dog-whistle politics that targets communities of colour.
The Trump-style immigration plan, announced by Angus Taylor, proposes a “values-based” migration scheme. Key measures include invasive social media vetting for all visa applicants and legally binding “Australian values” tests that could see migrants “booted out” for vague behavioural breaches.
Noura Mansour, National Director of Democracy in Colour, says the policy is a transparent attempt to use race and migration as a political wedge:
“We are not in Trump’s America. Angus Taylor’s proposal is a race to the bottom with the far-right. By suggesting that we need to ‘discriminate based on values,’ the Coalition is creating a two-tiered society where your right to belong is constantly under threat based on the whims of a politician,” Mansour said.
“We have seen this playbook before. It is the same rhetoric used to demonise our communities and distract from the government’s failure to deliver on housing and the cost of living. This isn’t policy; it’s a cruel political tactic sent to win over One Nation voters at the expense of multicultural Australia.”
Enshrining “values” as a universal visa condition gives the government broad, unchecked powers to deport individuals for exercising their democratic rights, such as peaceful protest or political advocacy.
“This plan treats migrants as suspects rather than neighbours, friends, and essential workers. It signals to every person of colour in this country that their place in Australia is conditional and that they are being watched,” Mansour added.
“We need to get racism out of politics once and for all. Leaders should be focused on building a country where everyone, no matter where they come from, can live with dignity and respect. We call on all political leaders to reject this divisive agenda and commit to a migration system that is fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory.”