Australia’s peak multicultural body has urged political leaders to reject what it describes as divisive rhetoric on migration, as debate intensifies following the Coalition’s proposed “Australian values” framework.
The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia said migration has been central to shaping modern Australia and warned against policies that could introduce uncertainty or unequal treatment.
“Australia is at a crossroads,” the organisation said, calling on all parties to “unequivocally reject divisive narratives on migration”.
FECCA said the migration system must remain grounded in “fair, consistent, and evidence-based processes applied equally to all applicants”, cautioning that subjective interpretations of values could lead to uneven scrutiny.
“Any approach that introduces vague or subjective interpretations of ‘values’ risks creating uneven scrutiny and discretionary decision-making, which may disproportionately affect certain communities,” the statement said.
The warning comes as strategist Kos Samaras has argued the political framing of migration risks missing the broader concerns of voters, with cost of living pressures and trust in institutions emerging as dominant issues.
FECCA’s statement also raised concerns about the potential impact on family reunion pathways, noting that additional layers of assessment could create barriers for migrants seeking to bring relatives to Australia.
“Such approaches may also have unintended consequences for family reunion pathways, by introducing additional barriers or uncertainty for individuals seeking to reunite with loved ones,” the organisation said.
The group pointed to the role of family unity in successful settlement, linking it to economic participation and social cohesion.
It also rejected assumptions about migrants from specific regions, saying there was no evidence to suggest they were less likely to contribute positively.
“There is no evidence to support assumptions that people from particular regions or political systems are less likely to contribute positively to Australian society,” FECCA said.
The organisation said Australia’s success as a multicultural nation had been built by migrants from diverse backgrounds, including those arriving from conflict-affected regions.
For communities such as the Indian diaspora, which is set to become the country’s largest overseas-born population, the debate carries added weight. Advocates have previously warned that language around “values” can be interpreted as targeting specific groups, even when framed in general terms.
FECCA said Australia’s migration program must remain “fair, humane and responsive”, while continuing to support people seeking asylum and humanitarian protection.
“Those who come to Australia in search of safety, dignity and a new beginning contribute to the social fabric of our country and reflect the very values we aspire to uphold as a peaceful, democratic nation,” the statement said.
The organisation urged policymakers to focus on strengthening a system that reflects the realities of a diverse society.
“This is the Australia we must shape together: confident in its identity, generous in its outlook, and united in its commitment to equity and inclusion,” it said.
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