Politics · Australia · 2 hrs ago
Victoria's migrant communities fear anti-immigration rhetoric is deepening divisions
In Shepparton, a diverse regional city in northern Victoria, some residents say anti-immigration rhetoric is causing fear and alienation ahead of the state election.
The Goulburn Valley Suns under-18 soccer trials reflect the area's diversity, with players connected to ten nations and speaking 15 languages.
Neha Samar, who moved from Mumbai to Shepparton, said a friend who supported One Nation described her as “one of the good ones,” prompting a difficult conversation about immigration.
The Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria says racism has become its members' top concern for the first time.
One Nation has promised major immigration cuts and released campaign videos featuring people of African and Middle Eastern appearance, while Labor and the Coalition have also pledged cuts to migrant intake.
Immigration is controlled federally, not by Victoria's state government, but the election campaign has brought the issue into state politics.
The council says some people have faced abuse, and its chief executive fears anti-immigrant rhetoric could lead to violence before the November election.
Some migrant communities in Victoria say anti-immigration rhetoric around the state election is increasing fear and division.
The Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria says racism has become its members’ leading concern for the first time.
One Nation has promised major cuts to immigration and released campaign videos featuring people of African and Middle Eastern appearance.
Youth mental health worker Neha Samar says a conversation with a friend about immigration left her feeling alienated but opened a wider community discussion.
Victoria is diverse: 30 per cent of its residents were born outside Australia, according to the 2021 census.
- Who
- Migrant communities in Victoria, the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria and One Nation are central to the story.
- What
- Some people fear anti-immigration rhetoric is deepening divisions and encouraging racist abuse. One Nation says one of its campaign videos is not racist and has promised major immigration cuts.
- When
- During Victoria’s state election campaign, ahead of the November election. The article was published on October 29, 2026.
- Where
- Victoria, including Shepparton and Melbourne.
- Why
- Immigration has become a prominent election issue, and some community members say rhetoric about immigration and monoculturalism is frightening and alienating.
Migrant communities and the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria
One Nation
Campaign rhetoric
Migrant communities and the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria
Some community members say anti-immigration rhetoric is frightening and alienating, and the council says people have faced abuse on the streets.
One Nation
One Nation has released campaign material targeting migrants and says one video is not racist.
Immigration policy
Migrant communities and the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria
The article reports concerns from migrant communities about the effect of anti-immigration rhetoric.
One Nation
One Nation has promised the most dramatic cuts to immigration; Labor and the Coalition have also committed to cutting Australia’s migrant intake.
Many people from diverse backgrounds arrived in the northern Victorian region.
Thirty per cent of people in Victoria were born outside Australia.
One Nation released controversial campaign material targeting migrants.
Some diverse communities raised concerns about a rise in racist rhetoric.
- Shepparton
- Nearly one in five residents were born overseas.
- Shepparton ancestries
- Residents hail from more than 100 different ancestries.
- Victoria
- 30 per cent of people were born outside Australia at the time of the 2021 census.
- Goulburn Valley Suns trials
- Under-18 players represented 10 nations and spoke 15 different languages.
- Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria
- Racism topped its membership’s annual list of concerns for the first time.
What people are saying
This rhetoric, this talk of monoculturalism has been actually frightening for some and alienating for others
You fear what you don't know... that's what humans do
It's been really revealing as to what the overall thinking is [about immigration] and how we go about challenging that thinking