Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Hansard source

I am not sure what Senator Ludlam interjected, but yet again when they are confronted with a genuine, real immigrant life story that does not suit them, they have to vilify it. Yet it is us who are allegedly vilifying. I simply say to Senator Hanson-Young that she now has a reputation in this country for deliberately whipping up these issues to gain attention and to get together that 10 per cent of the vote that she will need to retain her Senate seat. She is doing it on the back of deliberate social division. It is socially destructive; it is not helpful at all. Migrants appreciate it when people know they are from a migrant background and might not have all the language skills they need. People of good will in the neighbourhood—and organisations like the Good Neighbour Council—will be willing to assist and work with them. When members of the community say 'G'day mate' over the fence and get no response they will not be saying, 'Those migrants are snobs, aren't they; they don't even say g'day' because they will know those immigrants do not understand. People will be able to properly communicate and assist them.

Honourable senators interjecting—

It is amazing—I am being hectored and lectured; people who have not lived the experience are telling me what I should have experienced. That says it all about the Australian Greens—they know it better than those of us who have actually lived the experience. (Time expired)