Asia-Pacific

Australian immigration debate not branded racist

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-01-25 16:17

CANBERRA: Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said on Monday that Australians should be able to engage in a mature debate about immigration without being branded racist.

Abbott was criticized last week for saying he believed some Australians were anxious that citizenship was granted too lightly.

"What I said was that there was an anxiety among some people that this might be the case," he told Australian Broadcasting Corporation Radio.

"I think that when people see a questioning of what might be described as core Australian values, I think when people see boat people being let in, in ways which look like the government has backed down, I think this whole population issue feeds into an immigration debate," he said.

"We've always had our anxieties about immigration but I have to say that by and large we've managed a really successful immigration program despite those anxieties," he added.

"The important thing is to be able to have a mature and intelligent debate about immigration without ... the instant issues are raised, people rushing around with accusations of racism," he said.

Abbott said people came to Australia from all over the world, with all sorts of attitudes.

"But once we get here I think it is important that we remember that we are part of the Australian team," he said.