Luke Howarth (Petrie, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I know that many people would do it and those opposite, including the member interjecting, are selling these Australians short. They are selling these Australians short, absolutely.

Opposition members interjecting—

Jeez, we've hit a nerve! Just vote for it then.

Australia is the most successful multicultural society in the world, with people from a range of nationalities proud to call Australia home. I represent some of them in my electorate, and they all tell me the same thing: thank you for what you're doing on the sovereignty of our borders and for making sure that you're tough. The coalition government intends to keep it that way. Australians now come from nearly 200 countries, represent more than 300 ethnic ancestries, and one in four was born overseas. As of last year, nearly half of all Australians were either born overseas or had at least one parent who was born overseas. More than five million people have become citizens since Australian citizenship was introduced in 1949, and one of the highlights of being the member for Petrie is being able to welcome new Australians at citizenship ceremonies around my electorate. I've had the opportunity to speak at these and meet many people. I congratulate them and I welcome them with open arms.

As I said, the coalition government makes no apologies whatsoever for taking a tough stance on who we let into our country and why, and the Australian people expect us to do so. And, no, we won't make it easier. Why should we? As I said, I love this place. Australia is the best country in the world. No wonder everyone wants to move here. The opposition might be happy to leave the doors open to anyone who wishes to step through them, but the Australian people are not and I can tell you that it's not happening under our watch.

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