Embrace Unity and Compassion, Not Division and Hatred

18 June 2026

The Asylum Seekers Centre condemns the divisive rhetoric contained in Senator Pauline Hanson’s Press Club speech delivered on Wednesday.

At a time when Australia is strengthened by its diversity and enriched by the contributions of people from across the globe – Go mighty Soceroos! – rhetoric that seeks to divide communities is both harmful and out of step with modern Australian values.

“We need to remind Ms Hanson and One Nation that Australia has moved on from the racism of the previous century,” said Elijah Buol OAM, CEO of the Asylum Seekers Centre.

“Australia’s multicultural story is one of resilience, contribution, and shared opportunity. Migrants and people seeking asylum form the core of our national identity,” Mr Buol said. 

“They bring skills, culture, courage, and a determination to rebuild their lives in safety,” he said. “They deserve respect, dignity, and the chance to contribute to the country they now call home.”

The Asylum Seekers Centre calls on all political leaders to elevate the national conversation, reject rhetoric that fuels fear, and focus instead on policies that strengthen social cohesion, uphold human rights, and reflect the generosity of spirit that Australians demonstrate every day.

“While Pauline Hanson attempts to drag Australia backwards towards the old White Australia mindset, I take pride in the strength that multiculturalism brings to our shores,” Mr Buol said. “Australia’s diversity is among its greatest assets, and Australians are too wise to embrace divisive ideology.”

He noted that portions of the One Nation leader’s speech were poorly thought through. 

She lamented that 23 per cent of people in Australia speak a language other than English at home – as if mastering multiple languages was a fault. And speaking a language other than English at home does not preclude speaking English outside the home.

Ms Hanson also decried the fact that 51.5% of Australian residents were born overseas or had a parent who was born overseas, and she sought to link this to a claim that multiculturalism has failed Australia.

But according to the Bureau of Statistics, the largest component for country-of-birth data pertains to people born in England. And of the top five countries, all but one uses English as an official language. (https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/cultural-diversity-australia)

“People seeking asylum and migrants form the core of our national identity. They bring skills, culture, courage, and a determination to rebuild their lives in safety,” Mr Buol said. “They deserve respect, dignity, and the chance to contribute to the country they now call home.”

The Asylum Seekers Centre calls on all political leaders to elevate the national conversation, reject rhetoric that fuels fear, and focus instead on policies that strengthen social cohesion, uphold human rights, and reflect the generosity of spirit that Australians demonstrate every day.

“We remain committed to supporting people seeking asylum with compassion, practical assistance, and a belief in their potential to thrive and enrich our communities,” Mr Buol said.

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Established in 1993, the Asylum Seekers Centre is Australia’s oldest organisation dedicated to helping people who seek asylum. In the last financial year, we supported approximately 4,600 people from more than 90 countries.

Media contact: For more information or to request an interview, contact Conrad Walters on comms@asylumseekerscentre.org.au.