The Nationals party leader, Matt Canavan, has stated that Australia has spent excessive time discussing diversity rather than focusing on national unity. Addressing attendees at an anti-immigration rally held outside Parliament House, Canavan argued for improved migration standards.
Canavan's Remarks at the Rally
Speaking before One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, whom he had previously criticised for comments against Muslim Australians, Canavan told the crowd: "We've just had a little bit too much talk of diversity. We're all different... And that's great, but we now just talk all about that and we don't talk enough about unifying, about [how] we're one nation. We're going to check who's coming. This country's going to have better standards, and we're going to bring the numbers down. And yes, if you don't share our values, you're getting deported."
Parallels with Liberal Leader's Stance
Canavan's comments echo those of his colleague, Liberal leader Angus Taylor, who has also claimed that migration standards have been "too low." Earlier in the day, Taylor declined to criticise Hanson's migration stance, noting that there were "some things we might agree on."
