Mathias Cormann (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Hanson for the question. The first point I would make is that generations and generations of migrants to Australia, coming from all corners of the world—whether it's Greece, like the family of our valued colleague Senator Georgiou, or Belgium, like me, or Kenya, like Senator Gichuhi, or anywhere else—have made fantastic contributions to our country. The country we are today in large part is due to the contribution made by them, and we are a better country because of it.

The next point I would make is that Australia, like many other Western countries, has an ageing population. Having an ageing population is a drag on economic growth. Being able to attract, in particular, young, talented migrants to Australia from all around the word, with an attitude of wanting to help our country be even better, is good for our economy.