Former immigration figures call for better government consultation

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 28 Oct, 17:15 · Archive

Former immigration minister Philip Ruddock and ex-deputy secretary Abul Rizvi say Australia's government has failed to consult communities adequately on migration policy.

Philip Ruddock, who served as immigration minister under John Howard from 1996 to 2003, and Abul Rizvi, former deputy secretary of immigration during those years, have called for greater community consultation on migration policy. Speaking at Parliament House on Wednesday night at a panel discussion promoting Ruddock's book, they criticised the current approach to the immigration debate.

Ruddock said that direct consultation with communities, business lobbies and various interest groups had been overlooked by subsequent ministers. 'I don't think any minister before or after me has conducted regular consultations around Australia in the way in which we did,' Ruddock said. 'We would get the communities, the business lobbies, Australians Against Further Immigration. We get them all in the room, and we would discuss with them the way forward.' He noted that agreement was rare but being listened to and included in the debate helped create a shared sense of purpose.

Rizvi said current Immigration Minister Tony Burke is failing to explain and justify Labor's policy. He also warned that the debate has 'entered into this era where there is no end of myth making in this space'. The comments come as the government, coalition and One Nation have each announced different policies in recent weeks to reduce migration numbers and reconsider the roles of international students and tradespeople.

How it is being reported

• Government must 'explain' itself, listen on migrationTwo of the leading figures behind Australia's modern immigration system say the community has been left behind as the debate over migration figures flares up.Perth Now · 28 Oct, 16:33
• Government must 'explain' itself, listen on migrationTwo of the leading figures behind Australia's modern immigration system say the community has been left behind as the debate over migration figures flares up.The West Australian · 28 Oct, 16:33

In this story: Philip Ruddock · Abul Rizvi · Tony Burke · John Howard · Australia · Parliament House

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