Kerry Nettle (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to take note of the answer Senator Lundy just spoke about—the answer Senator Vanstone gave to a question asked by Senator Fierravanti-Wells. She was addressing the issue of migrants in her answer and, towards the end of her answer, referring to the Labor Party, she said, ‘You let them in to sit on welfare queues.’ She is the minister for multiculturalism. I was astounded to hear the minister make that comment in question time today. The minister should be retracting that comment and apologising to the migrant community of Australia, who hold high positions, who have contributed so much to our community and who have made us the wealthy, diverse country that we are so that we can celebrate our multiculturalism. To have the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs making that comment was absolutely astounding to me.

Just this week I have had representations—as I know many other members of parliament have—from the Australians for Lebanon group. These Lebanese migrants who have come to Australia are doctors, lawyers and members of parliament, and they have contributed so much to our community. I was absolutely astounded to hear the minister who is responsible for multicultural affairs making these kinds of comments. I call on the minister to retract the comment she made in question time today and to apologise to the migrant community.

Question agreed to.