In the immigration debate, toxic politics on both sides – stirring hate and fear of “others” is a last resort for politicians devoid of ideas, imagination and humanity.
Grooming the people to hate and fear is dangerous – it is the stuff of violence and of war. Pamela Curr, 3 June 24.
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There is little to envy about Andrew Giles’ position as stories of released immigration detainees convicted of serious crimes dominate the news cycle and the opposition frames the controversies as governmental dysfunction. Conservatives all over the world link immigrants, crime and border control to build their political fortunes. In Australia, Scott Morrison’s “stop the boats” campaign helped win an election in 2013, just as the UK prime minister, Rishi Sunak, and aspiring US president Donald Trump hope similar tactics will help them in 2024.