Why no number of new migrants will ever satisfy Australian-born citizens

October 18, 2026 — 2:00am

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The political parties have submitted their bids in the great Australian migration auction. Low, lower, lowest.

But numbers are just a sidebar to the real cause of unease over the way immigration is changing society – both in Australia and in other countries grappling with popular revolt after decades of suppressed debate. Numbers are a crude proxy for anxieties over culture.

Australia is a clear illustration of why: 26 per cent of Australian citizens – not residents, but passport-holders – were born overseas. Regardless of how few newcomers we bring in, we will still have to deal with cultural misunderstandings in the naturalised population after decades of laissez-faire integration policy.

Now the multicultural bargain is fraying. Call it social cohesion, call it what you will, new Australians and Australian-born citizens are not living together as easily as we would all like.

We have to change that. Talking about our differences seemed too hard. Now the nation needs some serious marriage counselling. Because taking on citizenship of a new country is like getting married. It is not a gift or a transaction. When Australia takes in a migrant and a migrant becomes fully Australian, the two become bound – for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health. We expect new Australians to make an emotional commitment that goes beyond what they can gain from joining their future to ours. Their cares become ours and, as in any marriage, they take us whole – trillions of dollars of debt, as well as sunny skies.

I’m sick of immigration being blamed for........

© WA Today