Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Labor opposes this motion. Australia is a nation built on migration. We've welcomed 7.5 million migrants since World War II. Migrants have helped to build Australia into the strong, vibrant and multicultural society it is today as well as contributing to our economy. One in three small businesses in Australia is run by migrants, and 1.41 million people are employed by migrant business owners across Australia. I note that the New South Wales opposition leader has acknowledged he made a poor choice of words by apologising for his recent comments.

Labor understands all Australians are frustrated with stagnant wages, with unaffordable housing, with clogged infrastructure and where employers rely on temporary work visas rather than hiring local workers. It's clear that Malcolm Turnbull and his priorities are to blame for failing to invest in infrastructure, for giving an $80 billion tax handout for big business and for putting the banks ahead of doing something about the cost of living, affordable housing and his dodgy crackdown on skilled migration. Labor will oppose this motion.