Most Australians against boosting refugee intake

New poll results suggest more than 50 per cent of Australians believe the level of immigration to Australia has been too high in recent years.

Refugees waiting in line for aid Source: AAP

The Essential Poll surveyed 1,020 people online over a period of three days in May (May 12-15).

 

Commissioned by SBS it asked participants to rate their agreement with a range of statements -- including on immigration, migrants' contributions to Australia, multiculturalism, and trust in the major political parties.

 

The survey revealed almost 60 per cent (59 per cent) of respondents believe immigration to Australia over the past decade has been too high.

 

Almost two thirds of respondents to the Essential poll believe migration overall has made a positive contribution to Australian society and 62 per cent hold that cultural diversity has enriched the lives of Australians.

 

But a smaller number, 46 per cent, say multiculturalism has failed and caused social division and religious extremism in Australia.