Julie-Ann Campbell (Moreton, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

This side of the chamber is what Australia looks like. This side of the chamber is what our community looks like. This side of the chamber is what our nation looks like. When I made my first speech in this place, I chose to talk about my family's migrant story. It's a story of Chinese immigrants coming here in the 1800s. It's a story of Chinese Australians building railroads. It's a story of Chinese Australians fighting for this country and representing it at war. And it's a story of Chinese Australians helping establish community organisations that bring people together. I am a proud Australian. I am a proud Australian of Chinese heritage. I am proud of my family's migrant story, and I would remind the member for Kennedy that I am proud of my family.

This story is not unique. It's not a one-off. It's the story of so many Australians. It's the story of so many people who call this place home. Over half of all Australians were born overseas or had a parent born overseas. It's part of what makes Australia a great migration success story, because that diversity builds strength. That diversity also helps build our country into a better place. I'm very proud to represent the most multicultural community in all of Queensland in my electorate. From our multicultural community, we see people who run small businesses, we see people who care for our loved ones, we see people who support our oldest Australians, and we see people who support our youngest Australians.

When people think about multiculturalism, often the first thing that comes to mind is food and festivals—because they're great. But, to go beyond that, we should also think of our multicultural and migrant communities as drivers of our economic outcomes, as drivers of our nation's economy. Labor believes that migration should be a function of nation building. When we bring skills to this country, it is to make us better and stronger. If we want to be a country that makes things, if we want to be a country that builds stuff, if we want to be a country that cares for its people, that's what we need.

Unemployment is at 4.1 per cent. It's really low. The question that we need to ask ourselves in this debate is: What do we want to cut? What jobs do we want to cut? Is it jobs in agriculture? Is it jobs in construction? Is it jobs in health? Is it jobs in aged care? Is it jobs in education? That is the fundamental question here. If you believe that Australia should be a country where people are gainfully employed and one where we have an economy that is driving towards a better society, migrants are an important part of that story.

The member for Kennedy has left this chamber. It's unfortunate because I wanted to direct my comments at him today. I understand that it's important for the member for Kennedy to put on a show. I understand that it's important for the member for Kennedy to lean into populism, because it is easy. I will not empower the member for Kennedy's words by jumping up and down, I will not empower the member for Kennedy's words by shouting, and I will not empower the member for Kennedy's words by shaking my fists. What I will say is this: the traditional Australian values of mateship, a fair go and respect for everyone are the bedrock of patriotism. He is no patriot.

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