Petition discussed with Assistant Immigration Minister

On Friday I met with Assistant Immigration Minister Matt Thistlethwaite to discuss the Zero Immigration Petition. I gave a presentation explaining what we are calling for, and outlining the negative impacts of mass immigration. The presentation contained evidence to support all claims, in the form of statistics, images, and videos.

We then had a debate, in which Matt outlined why he believed immigration should continue. His reasons included that immigration grows the GDP, and provides jobs. He also shared that many business owners had written to him expressing concern over finding workers if immigration were cut. I replied that the per capita GDP is the more relevant metric, and that Canada had experienced a 1% improvement in unemployment after instituting net negative immigration. I also suggested he ask businesses claiming worker shortages whether they had tried offering higher pay.

Following this I asked some tough questions, such as: Given that 71% of Australians support a halt on immigration, shouldn't your government respect the wishes of Australian people? He expressed doubt over the survey accuracy, and stated he believed the people of his electorate did not hold those views.

While I did not leave the meeting with a commitment to reduce immigration, I still hope it had value. As I challenged some of Matt's reasons for supporting migration, so hopefully I planted a seed to change his viewpoint in future. Additionally, I hope that by expressing these views in person, I made it clear they are held by ordinary people. 

I will continue to pressure politicians to listen to our wishes, through various avenues. To stay updated with these efforts, please follow Down Under Reform on social media. And thank you to everyone who has signed the petition for making this meeting possible.