Assistant Minister Julian Hill IN this interview by IMMA Secretary Fotis Kapetopoulos, alongside Marco Paterino, editor at our member Il Globo / Rete Italia, to defend multicultural Australia, warn against rising polarisation and push back on One Nation’s appeal to migrant communities. He also discusses cost of living, skilled migration, antisemitism and the crackdown on illicit tobacco.
Q: What is your view on the rise of One Nation among established migrant communities?
A: Assistant Minister Julian Hill said Australians are feeling pressure from global crises and the cost of living, and argued One Nation often identifies concerns without offering real solutions. He said the government’s response is to manage the economy well and strengthen social cohesion.
Q: Is this issue mainly about economics?
A: Hill said cost of living is the number one issue for Australians, regardless of background. He said Labor will support Australians’ cultural identities while also expecting people to integrate into Australian society.
Q: How can the government counter polarisation and the idea of a monoculture?
A: Hill said the government needs to govern effectively, including through tax cuts, Medicare investment, cheaper medicines and renewable energy. He said multiculturalism has long been a strength of Australia and warned against efforts to exploit diversity for division.
Q: Should Australians see themselves as proudly Australian first?
A: Hill said yes, overwhelmingly. He said migrant communities have helped build the country and that multiculturalism is about both rights and responsibilities, with integration expected but not assimilation.
Q: What does the government mean by Australian values?
A: Hill said migrants are expected to sign up to Australia’s values, laws, institutions and democracy. He said he supports a model of integration in which people remain connected to their heritage while also putting Australia first.
Q: What support is needed for older migrant communities losing English proficiency?
A: Hill said interpreting and translating services are essential, especially in hospitals, courts and police work. He also said skilled migration remains important in sectors facing shortages, including aged care, education and construction.
Q: What is the government’s approach to skilled migration and tradies?
A: Hill said Australians should get first access to jobs and that vacancies must generally be advertised locally before being filled from overseas. He said the government is also boosting domestic training through Free TAFE and apprenticeship support, but will use skilled migration where needed.
Q: Why is political polarisation growing, and can the centre hold?
A: Hill said the centre is the most important force in Australian politics and warned that polarisation is being driven by misinformation, social media and foreign interference. He said compulsory voting and the independent electoral commission are important safeguards for democracy.
Q: What did he say about antisemitism?
A: Hill said antisemitism is an ancient scourge and stressed that Jewish Australians should not be blamed for the actions of foreign governments. He said the government will stand up against racism and discrimination in all forms.
Q: What are the government’s priorities on organised crime and illicit tobacco?
A: Hill said the government is working with Border Force, intelligence partners and state and territory authorities to disrupt illegal tobacco sales and smuggling. He said the focus is on stopping the trade offshore, seizing product at the border and shutting down illicit retail outlets.
