Coalition floats stronger 'values' test for migrants

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley says "issues around language and values" will be included in the Coalition's coming migration strategy, as her party mulls stronger tests for aspiring migrants. 

But Ms Ley said tensions in Australia over immigration were not the fault of migrants themselves, despite considering support for stronger values and language tests for those seeking to move to the country.

Shadow Home Affairs Minister Jono Duniam has told the Sunday Telegraph that test standards "do need to be improved", though the party has not yet settled on a position.

"We are looking at how best to assess someone's commitment to our country … and there are a range of ways of doing that, and it may be that, of course, a condition on a visa might be one of those things that we inquire about, or revisiting the citizenship test," Senator Duniam said.

Migrants are required to sign an Australian Values Statement but do not have to sit a test, unlike citizenship applicants.

Greens immigration spokesperson Mehreen Faruqi said the idea was "bullshit" and "the ultimate dogwhistle".

"You can't say migrants are not a problem and then call for a 'values' screening test to demonise and other them," Senator Faruqi said.

"This is what is feeding the rising racism in this country."

Coalition seeks to stem voter leak on two fronts

The Coalition has been bedding down its approach to immigration after its May election loss prompted a full review of the party's policy offerings, which Ms Ley said would be announced soon.

Conservative MPs are seeking to make migration a key point of difference between the Coalition and Labor, and expect it could become a key battleground at the next election.

But the party is also fending off an attack from One Nation, which has been gaining ground in the polls at the Coalition's expense.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson revived a 2017 stunt in the final sitting week of this year by entering the chamber wearing a burqa, a move she claimed was to raise concerns around religious repression of women.

Senator Hanson appeared at an anti-immigration rally in Melbourne on Sunday, where she told the crowd that immigration was the country's biggest issue.

"I have seen the plan to divide us as a nation with multiculturalism … we do have a culture and we should be proud of it," Senator Hanson told the rally.

"I am not anti-migrant; I am not against anyone who wants to come here and give this country their undivided loyalty."

While the Coalition tries to stem the loss of voters opposed to migration to One Nation, it is also trying to regain faith among migrant communities that have fallen out with the party in recent months and years.

Earlier, Nationals leader David Littleproud told ABC Insiders that migration to Australia came with a responsibility.

"When you've seen the discord on the streets, particularly of Sydney and Melbourne over the last two, two years since October 2023, I think there is a risk that we as Australians can't import the hate that permeates in some other parts of the world," Mr Littleproud said. 

"And I think it's important we make sure that when we do bring people from those challenged parts of the world, that they understand they're coming here with responsibility."

'Balance is out'

Speaking from Tasmania this morning, Ms Ley said the issue was an "infrastructure squeeze" from the post-COVID influx of migration that the government had failed to balance.

"That balance is out, this government has not got the balance right," Ms Ley said.

Mr Littleproud said the Coalition's approach to migration would still need to account for a skills shortage in regional Australia, noting shortages in doctors, nurses, town planners and construction workers, among others.

But he said some "tough" decisions were needed to allow time to build more homes and other infrastructure.

"We're giving the greatest gift we can give to any person on this planet, a ticket to Australia," he said. 

"What we've seen over the last three and a half years is a government that's prioritised dog groomers and martial arts instructors instead of prioritising some builders, electricians, plumbers, roofers, tilers, that might be able to help in our supply."

While the issue of migration has not divided the Coalition as sharply as its recent fight over net zero, there are still some who have challenged the idea of restricting migration further while the domestic economy is sluggish.

Liberal senator Andrew Bragg told ABC Radio National on Thursday that cutting migration would not be a silver bullet for Australia's housing problems.

"The idea that you are going to blame migrants for the housing crisis is economically and morally wrong, and that is not going to be our policy," Senator Bragg said.

"It might be the policy of some fringe parties, people who will never have to solve any of these problems. But if you cut migration to zero, you'll still have a whopping migration problem."