Melbourne Teacher Voices Concerns Over Immigration Sentiment
Kusum Mirchandani, a high school teacher in Melbourne, has lived in Australia for over twenty years. Recently, she has become increasingly aware of a worrying trend in the country’s immigration discussions. These discussions often seem to target Indian migrants, who now make up Australia’s largest overseas community.
“When these marches against immigration began last year, it felt personal. We’ve been living here for 21 years, and this negative focus on our community is quite upsetting,” she expressed.
As the debate around immigration heats up, political parties like Labor, the Coalition, and One Nation are all proposing plans to reduce the number of immigrants coming to Australia. This trend comes at a time when the number of Indian-born residents surpasses those born in Britain, leading to more scrutiny and debate.
With the upcoming Victorian election, recent polling indicates that state Labor holds a slight edge over the Liberal party among Indian Australians. This might widen when voters are faced with the choice between Labor and One Nation. Mirchandani, who supports Labor, is inclined to vote for them in the upcoming state election, identifying education and healthcare as her top priorities.
Travel is a significant aspect for many migrants, as Mirchandani noted, “Travel is essential for us to see family, not a luxury. However, it has become much more challenging lately.”
While she is undecided about her vote for the federal election in 2028, she has dismissed One Nation due to their strict immigration policies, which affect families of skilled migrants, making it tougher for those like her with relatives overseas.
Satish Devarakonda, a technology consultant, offered a different perspective, viewing the intense focus on immigration as a temporary reaction. He expressed his frustrations about the slow recovery of Victoria’s economy post-COVID, stating, “We’ve been stagnant for six years now, while other countries have bounced back.”
For Devarakonda, the rising cost of living and the health of Victoria’s economy are significant concerns. Traveling back to India to visit his aging parents is a priority, but it’s something that has become difficult over the past few years. His family plans to make the trip to India for a wedding in December, the first visit in nearly two years.
Kos Samaras, a former Labor strategist, highlighted that surveys show Labor is narrowly ahead of the Liberals among Victorians of Indian descent. He explained that the presence of Indian Australians may help Labor secure key electoral seats.
Samaras also noted that many in the Indian community feel unwelcomed due to the rhetoric of certain politicians. He explained, “Though many identify as socially conservative and may typically consider voting for the Liberal party, the attitudes they’ve encountered make them hesitant.”
Recently, the Victorian Liberal party has faced its challenges, including a controversial candidate situation that created rifts within the party. However, they have taken steps to appeal to Indian Australians, such as proposing to expand select-entry high schools in the suburbs. Samaras believes this shows a sensitivity to the needs and concerns of the Indian community.
There is a small group of Indian Australians who are newer arrivals and advocate for a review of the country’s migration levels, often linking their concerns to affordable housing challenges.
Political parties in Australia have been eager to gather support from the Indian Australian community, especially since the last federal election. Former Victorian premier Jacinta Allan made her first international trip to India as a gesture of goodwill.
Pawan Luthra, chief executive of the India Link newspaper, suggested that while politicians show up to community events and express appreciation for Indian migrants, there is a need for a stronger recognition of their contributions to society. “The message needs to be clearer about the importance of migration and the positive role it plays,” he stressed.
