Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Environment and Water) Share this | Hansard source

The Albanese government is investing in housing, infrastructure and social services, while ensuring we also have a migration system that balances our need for skilled workers with having a sustainable population. This used to be a bipartisan position in Australia, but it's disappointing to now see the Liberal Party fanning the flames on an issue that should be well and truly behind us. I know there are some opposite who know the approach being taken by the Liberal Party is wrong. We've seen Senator Bragg tell the ABC:

… it's important that we don't beat up on migrants. I mean, it's not a good idea to say that the housing crisis is all because of migration.

And we see other coalition senators—and I'm looking at a few right now—trying to ingratiate themselves with multicultural communities in their hometowns, but then this week they came to Canberra and joined One Nation to oppose motions that reject racism, white supremacy and condemnation of immigrants. Australia's social cohesion is precious and fragile, and I urge the coalition to think very hard before they continue scratching at their anti-immigration itch.