Racism and economic insecurity can have a close relationship in this country. That is most apparent when Australia finds itself pulled into another so-called “debate” about migration. This is usually sparked by populism or attempts to blame complex issues like housing affordability on our annual migrant intake.
Across the country, recent rallies and commentary are blaming migrants for a range of woes, from the cost of living to housing supply. Politicians from various sides made similar claims prior to the last federal election. We’re seeing a rise in far-right parties platformed on anti-immigration rhetoric and racism. This rhetoric feeds on genuine economic concerns but ignores the structural forces driving economic insecurity and undermines the right to dignity, security and equality for all.
The Coalition is reported to be working on a new policy to cut migration. There is nothing wrong with discussing migration levels. The issue is when we are not having honest discussions about the rights to housing, decent social security benefits and fair wages. The debate needs to be courageous enough to require the wealthy and corporations to give fairly to help realise those rights and to interrogate a crisis of systemic inequality.
Taking the easy but misleading route of blaming migrants for economic insecurity only serves to stoke the already smouldering fires of racism. Migrants are dehumanised in this debate, and this racism has harmful impacts on their daily lives.
When commentary repeatedly frames migrants as a burden, a threat or the reason for economic hardship, it reinforces stereotypes that have real consequences. It ignores the fact that migration has been a bedrock of our economic success and that migrants on average contribute far more than they receive. Such narratives have historically paved the way for cuts to social security for all, harsher migration policies and a political climate where compassion is treated as weakness. They shape public fear, not public understanding. And when fear grows, racism grows with it. We must ask ourselves: who benefits when communities are set against each other?
For example, when racism is embedded in migration systems through visa uncertainty or inadequate workplace protection, it enables exploitation. Some employers take advantage of the fact that migrant workers may fear deportation or visa cancellation if they speak up. This means they can be paid less, work longer hours, or accept unsafe conditions as a means of survival. But this is not a “migrant problem”. It is a structural problem that affects the entire labour market. Underpayment in one part of the workforce drags wages down across the economy. It creates a false sense of job scarcity. It pits workers against each other while employers benefit. Migrant workers lose. Local workers lose. The only winners are those who profit from division and vulnerability.
If we truly care about lifting living standards, improving wages and building a fairer future for everyone, then we must tackle the root causes of economic insecurity rather than scapegoat those who contribute enormously to our society. One of the ways of doing this is for the federal government to endorse the national anti-racism framework which marks its one year anniversary this week. Strengthening wage protections, ensuring migrant workers can safely report exploitation and enforcing fair work laws – including a ‘positive duty’ where the onus is on employers to protect workers from racial discrimination – all benefit the entire workforce. When workers feel secure, when wages rise, when housing is affordable, when communities are thriving, racism loses its grip, and everyone wins.
We need to focus on the systems that create poverty, instead of stigmatising people for being disadvantaged by them. If we tackle the real and complex problems that cause economic insecurity, we can reduce racism, while making systems fairer for everyone. Migration has always been part of Australia’s story. What matters now is whether we use it as a political tool that drives us apart and obscures the real problems, or whether we choose leadership that brings people together and improves the lives of all.
Giridharan Sivaraman is Australia’s race discrimination commissioner
