Coalition's Migration Myth Unveiled: Former Secretary Calls Migrants a Scapegoat

Former Department of Immigration secretary Abul Rizvi joined the Inside Politics podcast to dissect the Coalition’s approach to migration.

Rizvi warned that the government’s narrative treats migrants more as a convenient political prop than as a matter of border management. He suggested the policy is designed to keep the public’s attention on a problem that never seems to be solved, rather than delivering concrete outcomes.

The discussion centered on how the Coalition frames migration in the media and parliamentary debates, with Rizvi emphasizing that the rhetoric often overshadows genuine policy work. He urged listeners to look beyond the headlines and question whether the focus on migrants is serving a political purpose rather than addressing the complexities of immigration.

Rizvi’s analysis concluded that a shift away from scapegoating toward evidence‑based solutions is essential if the issue is to be resolved in a way that benefits both newcomers and the broader community.