Migrant remarks on the nose

Teresa Gambaro, the opposition's citizenship spokeswoman, has raised interesting issues regarding new migrants. She differentiates between them and ''Australians'', saying new migrants need to be taught about Australian culture on issues such as health, hygiene and lifestyle. She also says recent arrivals are not integrating into the community.

What research is she privy to that leads her to this conclusion? Does the Coalition, if voted into office, plan to give all new migrants a bag containing deodorant, toothbrush, soap, etc, and a guide to the acceptable norms of behaviour?

Gambaro's comments, which rely on a crude racial stereotype of migrants being smelly foreigners, are deeply offensive.

The first thing we must remember is that we are all migrants here, unless you are Aboriginal. Gambaro, whose parents were migrants from Italy, would do well to learn from their experiences.

Instances of prejudice against people of other ethnic backgrounds are not uncommon. Most migrants ''integrate'' very well with the passage of time. The majority are hard-working and resilient. Is it fair to focus on the few that may have problems and use that to promote prejudice? A spokesperson for a major political party has responsibilities, one of which is not to allow debate to sink to such a level that the real issues are ignored and sound bites become the only thing that is heard.

English language programs for new migrants and refugees are important and necessary to help them lead a productive life in their adopted country. If there are ways to improve delivery of these services, then by all means it should be done. I think most people would agree that knowledge of the local language is a necessity. I have not met any new migrants who were not appreciative of the English language courses available to them.

The majority have benefited immensely from them. Multiculturalism need not be a divisive policy. Many corporations have programs teaching cultural awareness to overseas workers, just as Australian corporations train their workers in local norms when they work overseas.