Julian Hill MP, Member for Bruce, Assistant Minister for Citizenship, Customs and Multicultural Affairs, Minister for International Education, addressed the Migration Institute of Australia’s National Migration Conference on 10 october,2025, Melbourne, coming down heavily on “actual Nazis”, and “most of the Liberal Party” who are “regurgitating extremist and racist talking points; and also many decent people sucked in by misinformation, Australia does not have or suffer from mass migration.”
“Australia is not Europe. Australia is not the USA. Our migration program is orderly and our borders are tightly controlled.”
And added: ” Our human diversity is our nation’s defining characteristic and great strength.”
Julian Hill MP’s speech at the MIA’s National Migration Conference highlighted the critical role of migration and migration agents in shaping Australia’s identity, economy, and society. He affirmed respect for migration agents’ work, discusses reforms and milestones in Australian migration policy, challenges misinformation around “mass migration,” and emphasizes the government’s commitment to integrity, fairness, and multiculturalism in migration policy.
Summary of the speech:
Julian Hill opened by acknowledging Australia’s multicultural and Indigenous heritage, praising migration agents as essential for diverse communities such as his own in Greater Dandenong. He underlined the complexity and importance of the Australian visa system, urged professional honesty among agents, and recognized the significance of migration for families, communities, and the national economy. Hill detailed government reforms since 2022 to address visa backlogs, visa integrity, worker exploitation, and regional labour needs, marking 2025’s historical migration milestones. He strongly refuted claims of “mass migration,” highlighting evidence-based policy and criticizing the opposition’s use of fear and misinformation. He outlined recent and forthcoming regulatory changes to strengthen migration agent professionalism and concluded with gratitude for migration agents’ contributions to building modern Australia.
Main Points of the speech:
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Migration’s Central Role: Migration is fundamental to Australia’s national identity, prosperity, and multicultural society; Indigenous heritage is also acknowledged as central.
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Agents’ Contribution: Migration agents are critical intermediaries, especially in complex visa matters; their expertise supports individuals, families, and the functioning of diverse communities.
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Visa System Complexity: The visa and migration system is inherently complex and vital “infrastructure” for modern Australia, supporting family reunion, trade, business, and humanitarian needs.
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Professional Standards: Hill calls on agents to uphold honesty—disclosing hopeless cases and avoiding exploitation, especially in humanitarian matters; MPs cannot intervene to alter visa priorities and should not be misrepresented as able to “solve” routine cases.
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Major Anniversaries: 2025 marks 80 years since Australia’s first Department of Immigration, 50 years since the Racial Discrimination Act, and the likely arrival of the millionth humanitarian migrant since WWII.
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Government Migration Reforms: The Albanese government has implemented most of its Migration Strategy, including reforms to international student intake, new visas, anti-exploitation laws, and greater state and territory involvement in migration planning.
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Integrity and Enforcement: Crackdowns on exploitative practices (e.g., blacklisting rogue employers), reviews of migration point systems, and efforts to increase integrity and enforcement resources have been rolled out.
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Political Critique: Hill refutes “mass migration” claims, highlighting that Australia’s migration levels are carefully managed and that opposition rhetoric is misleading and divisive.
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Migration Benefits: Migration supports Australia’s workforce, regional economies, and higher education sector, with international students crucial to the economy.
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Regulatory Strengthening: New, stricter rules for Registered Migration Agents (RMAs) are being developed, involving higher standards, better identity checks, and modernized regulations to combat criminal abuse and exploitation in the system.
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Collaboration and Respect: The speech ends with gratitude to the MIA for its partnership, emphasizing constructive engagement and the lasting social and economic value of migration to Australia.
