Most Australians see migration as a benefit. Is economic stress changing the story?

A window display in London, 1945, offering passages to Australia. Today, most Australians believe migration has made a valuable contribution to the country. But migrants and refugees continue to face prejudice and racism. Credit: Getty Images, SBS

SBS Examines

View Podcast Series

Follow and Subscribe

Download the SBS Audio appAvailable on iOS and Android

Migrants and refugees are often blamed for rising cost of living pressures. Is there a way to break the cycle?

Almost half of Australians — 49 per cent — believe immigration levels are too high.

That's according to the Scanlon Foundation's latest report, which measures social cohesion in Australia.

Report author Dr James O'Donnell from the Australian National University said while our attitudes on the impact of migration remain largely positive, this can be negatively influenced in times of economic hardship.

"When people are worried about the economy and when they themselves experience unemployment, financial stress, their attitudes towards migration deteriorate a little bit. They're more likely to say things like migrants increase house prices, or they take away jobs," he said.

But are these beliefs based in fact? And how do they impact migrants and refugees?

This episode of Understanding Hate looks at how misinformation targets migrants, and how we can combat harmful myths.

Transcript

spk_0

SBS acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia.

James O’Donnell

So around about 50% of us are saying migration levels are too high, but that's not necessarily shaping how we feel about migrants coming to Australia and the contribution that migration has made.

Nic

From SBS Examines, I’m Nic Zoumboulis. In this episode of Understanding Hate, we’re looking at discrimination against migrants and refugees. While immigration has become an increasingly polarised issue overseas, in Australia, our attitudes towards migrants have remained mostly positive. Dr James O’Donnell, a demographer from the Australian National University, says Australians are differentiating between how they feel about immigration levels and migrants themselves.

James O’Donnell

When you ask those people that say migration levels are too high, we're still seeing three quarters of them still say that multiculturalism has been good for Australia. Around about two thirds still say that migration has benefited the Australian economy, society and culture as well.

Nic

When can beliefs around migration tip over into discrimination? Dr O’Donnell says economic stress and hardship can influence our attitudes.

James O’Donnell

When people are worried about the economy and when they themselves experience unemployment, financial stress, their attitudes towards migration deteriorate a little bit. They're more likely to say things like migrants increase house prices, or they take away jobs.

Nic

Migrants move by choice, while refugees are forced to flee their home country to find safety. Both groups have been the subject of baseless claims and false stereotypes. At the University of New South Wales, Professor Daniel Ghezelbash has been working on a method to combat misinformation.

Daniel Ghezelbash

Refugees and migrants have contributed hugely to Australia. But they've also unfairly been blamed from everything from the housing crisis to rising inflation. And this is an age-old tactic where political actors exploit xenophobia for their political advantage.

Nic

For prominent misinformation that’s spreading quickly and persuasively, Professor Ghezelbash says we can counter it using a 'fact sandwich'.

Daniel Ghezelbash

When Australia's borders were closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, migration was its lowest level in a century, yet price in houses still went up. And then you want to warn about the myth. Instead of tackling the real issues, some political actors are just blaming migrants as if they're the reason that housing has become unaffordable. And then point out the fallacy, they're oversimplifying the problem to distract you from the actual causes. And then end with a fact. There are many factors that are driving Australia's housing crisis and migration is only a very small piece of the puzzle.

Nic

Speaking out against both discrimination and misinformation is crucial for building social cohesion. But for many migrants and refugees, it’s not always a simple decision.

Parisa Sekandari

There is a constant pressure to show that you are hardworking, grateful, and never causing trouble. I often felt that if I raise any concerns, whether it's about racism, unfair policies or discrimination, people will see me as ungrateful. But I don't want to be praised for being inspiring while being expected to accept inequality.

Nic

That's Parisa Sekandari. After the Taliban came to power in 2021, Parisa fled Afghanistan and came to Melbourne on a humanitarian visa. She’s now a PhD candidate at Monash University. Parisa says she’s experienced discrimination both in public and institutional settings.

Parisa Sekandari

I was trying to get help with a service and a staff member kept repeating things slowly and loudly as if I couldn't understand English. I was polite, I could speak English, but I wasn't treated with the same respect as the person before me. And there was a time on public transport, once someone said go back to your country loud enough for me to hear.

Nic

Parisa says although these experiences hurt and negatively affect her sense of belonging, she hasn’t reported racism due to the high emotional cost.

Parisa Sekandari

The reporting process is often confusing, slow and emotionally exhausting. You worry about not being believed and about being blamed or facing backlash, and sometimes you don't have the energy, especially when you're already juggling work, study, visa, stress and trauma.

Nic

At Victoria University, Associate Professor Mario Peucker has studied the barriers to reporting and support needs for people experiencing racism.

Mario Peucker

Racism happens in all areas of society. But the biggest area is still employment, either looking for employment or at the workplace. And the concern's that it might make things even worse if you report because you at work, you might get less shifts, or you lose your job.

Nic

Parisa is focusing her energy into community organising, advocacy, and storytelling.

Parisa Sekandari

These are ways I can create change by showing that we exist, we matter, and we are not going to stay silent.

Nic

This episode was produced and presented by Nic Zoumboulis. To find out more, visit sbs.com.au/sbsexamines

END OF TRANSCRIPT