Malcolm Turnbull has brushed off a call from one of his MPs to tighten immigration from extremism-riddled nations.
"Our immigration policy is non-discriminatory," the prime minister told Neil Mitchell on 3AW on Friday.
He was responding to a speech controversial Nationals backbencher George Christensen gave to parliament in which he advocated restrictions on migrants from countries with a high prevalence of violent extremism and radicalism.
While there should be concerns about terrorism, that kind of policy would also mean rejecting its victims, Mr Turnbull said.
"We are taking a substantial number, some thousands ... from the Syrian conflict zone - these are people from oppressed minorities, these are people who have been victims of terrorism."
Mr Christensen also warned against the rise of "Islamism" and claimed many immigrants who have arrived in recent years did not share Australian values.
Mr Turnbull cautioned against demonising the Muslim community, saying they were the most valuable tool for intelligence agencies in fighting terrorism.
"Tagging all Muslims with the crimes of a few is fundamentally wrong and also counterproductive."
It's in the nation's interest to reaffirm Australia's position as the most successful multicultural society in the world.
"And Muslims are part of that successful multicultural society," the prime minister said.
