Migrants = Terrorists??

I have to admit I was incredibly disturbed to read this article today:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/08/07/2649618.htm

There is no better fuel for the racism fire than for a Federal MP (let alone a Government one) to claim that more migration increases our risk of terrorism.

Why do I say that? Well, let's examine the proposition - at first glance it makes a bit of sense: the more people who enter our country, the greater the risk that one of them will be a terrorist. Unfortunately, I fear that this is where most people will stop.

But I'd ask Mr Thompson whether, when all of the factors are weighed up, that sensational statement should be the basis of government policy. Let's think for a second about the crucial benefit that migrants bring to Australia. Our economy would stall if we shut the doors to skilled migrants. Our culture would fail if we closed our hearts to those from overseas who's vibrant backgrounds bring colour, life and excitement to society. Our international relations would suffer if we suddenly refused to meet our obligations under the Refugees Convention.

On its face, a migration policy that simply opens the floodgates without vetting has potential for disaster. But we don't have that kind of system in Australia. Migrants are vetted for character, health and their commitment to Australian values.

Perhaps this can be strengthened - it certainly has been in the last twelve months - and I am completely behind close scrutiny of potential migrants. We obviously don't want terrorists and other criminals in our country.

But the two are not synonymous: more migrants does not have to equal more terrorists, so long as ASIO, DIAC and DFAT continue their current programme of close scrutiny.

Most importantly, I am concerned that sweeping statements such as Mr Thompson's will scare the public at large and, without a properly informed debate, has the potential to create a political backlash the kind that Pauline Hanson could only have dreamed of.

I strongly urge Mr Rudd to distance the Government from Mr Thompson's statements... before some serious damage is done!