Liberal Senator Andrew McLachlan has criticised the use of the term 'mass migration' in the Coalition's immigration debate, describing it as 'technically inaccurate' and 'extremely unhelpful'. The South Australian backbencher urged colleagues to approach the policy in a 'respectful and honest way' to avoid alienating multicultural communities.
McLachlan's comments highlight growing unease among some Liberal MPs as the party prepares to debate immigration policy principles, a process that risks deepening internal divisions. The term 'mass migration' has been adopted by right-wing figures, including Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and former Prime Minister Tony Abbott, to argue that immigration levels are out of control.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics issued a rare public statement in August rejecting the misuse of overseas arrivals data to support the 'mass migration' claim. McLachlan warned that the phrase could 'disguise more dangerous sentiments' and called on colleagues to lead public opinion rather than reflect divisive views.
The Coalition recently voted against a One Nation motion linking 'mass' migration to the housing crisis and distanced itself from a separate bill proposing a five-year zero net migration policy. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has faced internal pressure to commit to steep immigration cuts, but has blamed poor planning, not migrants, for societal issues such as housing shortages.
