MEDIA RELEASE: 2011 Scanlon Survey Shows Lack of Community Understanding of Immigration and Asylum Seeker Issues

Tuesday 27 September 2011

Ethnic Communities’ Council of Victoria (ECCV) is alarmed by 2011 Scanlon Foundation Survey findings which reveal widespread community misunderstanding on asylum seeker and migrant issues.

The survey, released today, showed under a quarter of Australians accurately knew how many asylum seekers arrived by boat each year.

 “The community’s perceptions of asylum seekers and migrants are being influenced by emotional arguments rather than fact,” ECCV Chairperson Mr Sam Afra said. 

“The major political parties must take more responsibility for using alarmist language and selective statistics when talking about immigration and cultural diversity issues.”

ECCV welcomed the findings that 64 per cent of Australians believed immigration made the country stronger and an even higher 73 per cent of Australians felt positively towards refugees. 

Mr Afra said these figures showed a discrepancy between current political debates and Australian’s overall belief in cultural diversity.

“The survey tells us Australians generally see immigration as an opportunity - not a threat - but are being influenced by political games,” Mr Afra said.

Mr Afra added ECCV was leading the way to rebuild trust and respect for Australia’s diverse community.

“ Our work with Victoria’s community regularly shows the many benefits of a culturally diverse society ,” Mr Afra said.

“We must work together to ensure positive values of community harmony, respect and tolerance are reinforced and not eroded.”

ECCV commended Monash University and Scanlon Foundation for their continued support of social inclusion research.  

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Mr Afra is available for interviews and comment. Contact Sarah Hunt on (03) 9349 4122.  

The 2011 ‘Mapping Social Cohesion’ Scanlon Foundation Survey is released by Monash University in Partnership with Scanlon Foundation and Australian Multicultural Foundation.