Migrants Open to One Nation Support if Hanson Passes Key Test

Some migrants are open to supporting One Nation if the party's leader, Pauline Hanson, can pass what they see as an important test. The test, for some, is whether Hanson can demonstrate a more inclusive approach to multiculturalism and address concerns around racism and national security.

Charanjit Singh, a Melbourne-based business owner and Australian citizen who migrated from India more than 20 years ago, believes One Nation deserves a chance to govern Australia. He supports its promise to cut net overseas migration, which he believes would relieve pressure on the cost of living, infrastructure, and public services.

"With the two major parties, they tried everything. They tried all their cards," he said. "Now let someone else try their own cards."

Mr. Singh, who has previously voted Labor, is now a member of the One Nation party and attends its events. He first became interested in One Nation because he supported its opposition to vaccine mandates during the COVID pandemic.

Recent polling suggests that some culturally diverse Australians are open to supporting One Nation. Research from Roy Morgan indicates pockets of support for One Nation among voters born in India, China, and the Philippines, among other countries.

Manju, an Indian Australian voter who asked to be identified only by her first name, said she supported One Nation's immigration policy.

"The criteria should be restricted to skilled migrants according to our actual requirements, and restrictions must be placed on those who pose a national security threat," she said.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has said the party would cut Australia's net overseas migration, which was about 300,000 last year, to 130,000. She said it would do this by reducing the number of international students and temporary graduate visas, and through "a much more targeted skilled migration program".

However, some migrants are still grappling with the party's positions on migrants and religion, as well as Senator Hanson's recent call for Australia to embrace "monoculturalism". Manju wants to hear Senator Hanson respond to anti-Indian racism on social media, including racist comments about Australians who were missing in the Nepal-Tibet flash floods.

"The extreme hatred directed at any brown-skinned person makes me sick," Manju said. "How does she handle this group of people with this mindset?"

Hindu Council of Australia vice president Surinder Jain said some migrants were also concerned about religious extremism following the Bondi attack and believed One Nation would "make Australia safe" by rejecting people known to support terrorism. However, he said some of Senator Hanson's recent statements had put migrant voters off, including her call for Australia to be "monocultural".

"We are seeking a meeting with her to understand what is her stand on migrants, not on migration," he said. "The freedom of speech, freedom of religion, that is such an important part of Australian values."

Edgar Lu, a Sydney-based social media influencer, said he once volunteered for One Nation in 2019 and is undecided about endorsing the party. He also posted a Mandarin-subtitled video of Senator Hanson's National Press Club speech to his 360,000 followers.

"I am still observing," he said.

The Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils (FECCA), the peak body representing culturally diverse community groups, said multiculturalism and migrants should not be made scapegoats for issues facing the country.

"Blaming one group for complex problems does nothing to help everyday Australians and will only create and deepen divisions," FECCA's chief executive Prerana Mehta said. "We can have serious debates about migration, housing and infrastructure without questioning whether some Australians belong more than others."

Senator Hanson drew attention earlier this month when she posted a photo with the Indian Australian owner of Harold's Seafood, a fish and chip shop in Townsville. Australia's Indian Sun magazine saw it as a move to build support among culturally diverse voters.

Jill Sheppard, an Australian National University researcher on political participation among migrants, said the photo served two purposes for One Nation. "They're trying to cultivate this idea of a good migrant who assimilates to Australian culture, who cooks and eats fish and chips, and who can be accepted into a mainstream 'monocultural' Australia, given that's apparently Pauline Hanson's preference," she said.