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Keating Denounces Taylor’s Values-Based Migration Plan as Racist

Keating casts the push as a racist break from the Liberals’ pro-immigration tradition.

Overview

  • Former prime minister Paul Keating condemned Angus Taylor’s new migration policy as racist and said the Liberal leader is unworthy to govern.
  • Taylor has acknowledged the policy is designed to win back voters considering Pauline Hanson’s One Nation.
  • Taylor rejected the racism charge, saying immigration should be centred on Australian values and arguing numbers are too high and standards too low.
  • The Coalition plan would make the Australian Values Statement a binding visa condition, require English learning for permanent residents, and add tougher vetting with social media checks.
  • Labor, the Greens and refugee advocates criticised the proposal, and Pauline Hanson said Taylor copied her platform.