Barnaby Joyce, the federal MP for New England, defected to One Nation last December, aligning with the party's vision of a "monocultural" Australia. But in his electorate, the city of Armidale tells a different story: a thriving refugee resettlement program that has brought Yazidi and Congolese communities to the region.
Joyce's Role in Refugee Resettlement
Nine years ago, as deputy prime minister, Joyce supported a resident-backed campaign for Armidale to become a site for resettling refugees, citing benefits for reducing regional skills shortages. The first cohort, Yazidis fleeing Islamic State’s genocide in Iraq, began arriving in 2018. Many spoke no English. Now, Joyce's new party advocates limiting migration to those who can speak English, but he suggests an exemption for refugees. "I don't think that anybody's suggesting that if your house is completely burning down we're going to lock the doors and keep you in there," he told Guardian Australia.
Community Integration
Yazidi refugee Salam Qaro, who arrived in 2019 with no English, hopes for an exemption. "If they want to include Yazidis under that policy it's going to be very hard," he says. He adds, "We have a good relationship with Barnaby and hopefully through him they can do some exemptions."
Congolese community leader Fernand Numbi, who fled the Democratic Republic of the Congo and spent 13 years in a refugee camp in Zimbabwe, leads Sunday services at the Armidale District Baptist church. He describes Armidale as a community that has embraced multiculturalism. "We feel like we are very free in Australia," he says. Numbi and his wife Anne were the first Congolese family to settle in Armidale in February last year.
Local Reactions
Some locals were unaware of Joyce's defection. Catie Smith, 35, says it is "heartbreaking" to hear One Nation's position on multiculturalism. The community has been "welcoming and accepting" of new arrivals, learning about Yazidi and Congolese culture. Another man cheered at the news but declined to speak.
Zina Almuhama, a Yazidi refugee who arrived at age 14 knowing only "yes" and "no," bought her first home this year. "From the first day we came, I still feel very welcome," she says. "The people, the culture and the safety of the country that make me want to stay here. This is the home forever."
Practical Challenges
Despite the success, refugees face challenges: limited public transport, smaller job market, and missing traditional foods. Some shrug off discrimination. Numbi recalls being yelled at with racial slurs but says it was not representative. William Simba, who has lived in Armidale for 17 years, says opposition to multiculturalism is a minority view. "When it comes to politics, people bring their agenda just to get elected … But I think in general, Australia is a multicultural country and that gives the strength of this country."
