Australia is at a Crossroads
The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) calls on all Australians, including political leaders from all parties, to unequivocally reject divisive narratives on migration.
Migration has shaped modern Australia into a dynamic, innovative and globally connected society. It has strengthened our economy, filled critical workforce gaps, enriched our cultural life and built resilient, diverse communities grounded in shared values of fairness and opportunity.
We are not a nation that needs discriminatory migration policies.
Australia’s migration system must remain grounded in fair, consistent, and evidence-based processes applied equally to all applicants. Any approach that introduces vague or subjective interpretations of “values” risks creating uneven scrutiny and discretionary decision-making, which may disproportionately affect certain communities.
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. Family unity is a well-established driver of successful settlement, supporting social cohesion, economic participation, and overall wellbeing.
There is no evidence to support assumptions that people from particular regions or political systems are less likely to contribute positively to Australian society. On the contrary, Australia’s success as a multicultural nation has been shaped by generations of migrants from diverse backgrounds, many of whom have come from conflict-affected or non-democratic contexts and have gone on to make significant social, economic, and civic contributions.
Australia’s migration program must remain fair, humane and responsive – one that recognises the contribution of migrants while upholding our responsibility to 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.
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.
Our migration standards should not decline but rather be strengthened to meet the needs of a modern, diverse and forward-looking nation.
Australia must stand proudly as a modern nation of migrants, grounded in and strengthened by the enduring cultures and resilience of First Nations peoples.
