Tony Burke has chosen to take on Angus Taylor. It shows Labor also has stakes in this migration debate

April 15, 2026 — 6:00pm

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Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke laid into Liberal leader Angus Taylor on Wednesday, accusing him of being the first senior Australian politician to call migrants from democratic countries more worthy than others.

He claimed the Liberal leader was chasing memes and One Nation voters in his immigration speech on Tuesday rather than workable policies, and delivered a point-by-point rebuttal to three key planks of Taylor’s immigration policy.

It was a rare move for the home affairs minister, whose sensitive portfolio means he tends to steer clear of the cameras. But Burke’s decision to call a press conference and take on Taylor on Wednesday signals what is at stake.

It’s not just the Liberals wanting to woo disaffected voters with a hardline stance; Labor needs to defend the society it believes in. Both parties have now planted their flags in a renewed debate over immigration.

Burke’s ultimate point – that “modern Australia and multicultural Australia are the same thing” – paints Taylor as its opponent and emphasises the fight is over our social fabric.

Hanson scoffs at Taylor’s anti-immigrant pitch

Taylor’s response – “It is clear that Tony Burke will not stand up for Australians. He’s standing in the way of........

© Brisbane Times