Policies which link migration to “values” undermine a fundamental principle of Australia’s immigration system – fairness without discrimination.

Last week, as Angus Taylor announced the Coalition’s new migration plan I was reminded of a time sitting in Parliament House with Sarya, a Syrian software engineer who had just settled in Australia through a visa pilot program run by Talent Beyond Boundaries. We were watching Question Time from the public gallery, and I glanced over expecting to share a chuckle at the political theatrics playing out below. I was shocked to see her clearly moved, with tears welling in her eyes. When I quietly asked if she was okay, she whispered: “we are above them, if only we had this in Syria”.

Sarya meant it literally and figuratively. In Australia’s Parliament, the public gallery sits above the House Chamber. But more than architecture, she explained to me later that she was moved to see democracy in action, and the simple fact that leaders must answer questions and defend their positions under public scrutiny. Sarya knew from lived experience that this does not........

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