Concern about Federal 'white Australian' policy

Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Minister Judyth Watson said she fears a return to a 'white Australian' immigration policy under a federal coalition government.

Dr Watson said this week's multiculturalism statement by John Hewson, in which he signalled tighter controls over immigration under a coalition government, had some disturbing elements.

"The most alarming is the proposal to deal with sponsoring relatives where Dr Hewson would give preference to English-speaking people," Dr Watson said.

"The fact is about 12 per cent of the Western Australian population comes from a non-English speaking background.

"Already people from the ethnic community have told me the federal Liberal policy is creating confusion and fear, and my concern is that it is the white Australia policy in disguise.

"The citizenship test as outlined by Dr Hewson seeks to double - from two to four years - the length of time before people can apply for Australian citizenship.

"This goes against the clear trend that we are seeing.  As Australia further develops its own unique identity, more and more migrants are seeking to become citizens as soon as they are eligible because they identify with Australia and Australia alone.

"I have attended citizenship ceremonies where migrants know and sing the words of 'Advance Australia Fair', while I have witnessed a range of community leaders - including Liberal politicians - standing mute because they do not know the words."

Dr Watson said the nation had benefited, and would continue to benefit, from the skills and cultural contributions of its migrant population.

She said a study released this week by the Bureau of Immigration Research showed that immigrant workers created as many jobs as they took.

"The report debunks the myth that immigration adds to unemployment in a recession and shows that cutting or raising the migrant intake does not affect the unemployment rate."