Mr HARDGRAVE(5.47 p.m.) —I am sure the majority of honourable members would agree it is a great honour to represent in this place people from many diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, including Australians of Asian decent. Sadly, in recent months, public debate about immigration has taken a nasty turn in my electorate. I am not for one moment suggesting there is a wide division—and I am certainly working to ensure there never will be—but there has been a small number of incidents.

In the past few weeks, many of my constituents have expressed their great hurt caused by irresponsible comments and behaviour in our community. Some people in the electorate of Moreton—who have lived in the area for 25 years or more and who happen to look like they have an Asian heritage—are now, for the first time ever, being openly shunned. A few have been abused and some have been spat on and told to `go home'. But they are home. These people made a conscious decision to come here to live, to raise their families and invest their time, effort and money in Australia. No-one should force them to leave or to live in fear.

That parts of my electorate should now show visible signs of an Asian-born population makes sense. The shopping centres in Sunnybank are commercial centres—rich and vibrant, soaking up the spending dollars and providing recreational pursuits for all people on the south side of Brisbane. The development has occurred because Asian-born business people, people like Gordon Fu, have taken a chance and spent big money to develop these shopping centres into the hives of activity which they are today. Along with this development came hundreds, probably thousands, of new jobs.

I invite those who generalise and condemn other Australians because of their appearance to come and meet some of my constituents with Asian backgrounds. They will be impressed because members of the Asian communities in my electorate have extended their hand of friendship, issuing invitations to some critics which have so far been ignored.

It saddens me some people prefer to see only the differences and ignore the inherent similarities of all races and cultures. This is ignorance at its worst, and it is quite dangerous. Instead of dealing with generalisations, we should all be dealing with each individual person on their merits. Put simply: when it comes to people, one size does not fit all. This is tolerance, and this is what multiculturalism should be all about. You should emphasise the similarities and tolerate and celebrate the differences.

Polls may show some Australians do not like so much immigration but, until recent months, Australians have always generally been polite enough to treat each individual Asian migrant well. While this government supports the right of free speech—which was denied to so many under the politically correct regime of the recent past—this should not be seen as a green light to call for civil riots and anarchy, as some are doing.

As the Prime Minister (Mr Howard) has clearly said, the right of free speech carries with it an obligation of responsibility to conduct oneself with tolerance for other viewpoints and with a regard for the effect which your comments may have on others. In other words, it is all about giving a fair go to everyone.

This government's non-discriminatory immigration policy is about choosing the best from the world. Asian migrants have contributed a great deal. This is what the Prime Minister said recently:

They—

Asian migrants—

have brought to this country many skills, they have made a contribution to our society and they have brought their commitment to individual freedom, their commitment to small business and their commitment to the strength of the extended family. They have brought those values with them and they have made a valuable contribution.

I support these views of the Prime Minister. I recognise they are well exemplified in my electorate. Members of my local Asian community have impressed me with their obvious devotion to their families, their hard work on behalf of their children, their respect for their elders, their willingness to work long hours, their growing involvement in our local community as well as our nation but, most of all, their love and commitment to Australia. Australia certainly needs Australians of this calibre.

I believe it is part of my job as the local federal member—in fact, it is part of the job for all members in this place—to represent all people with the necessary tolerance and understanding which should underpin good conduct with individuals and to listen to the range of views. I treat each person as I find them, and I find most people to be decent and hardworking. Part of my job is to contribute to the community leadership which can build a strong bridge between our Asian community and the broader community until, over time, there will be no need for a bridge. The two groups will work and live without any great distinction.

This process is already well under way, especially when one looks at the young Australians of all backgrounds who learn to play together in schools in my electorate like MacGregor Primary, MacGregor High, Robertson State School, Warrigal Road State, Sunnybank High and Runcorn High.

Young Australians of all backgrounds are showing the way to go. We in this place should provide the community leadership to keep them working together and not lead them down the lonely path of intolerance and bigotry, as some are trying to do. I urge all Australians to speak up on issues which concern them, and defend their right to speak, but we owe it to all Australians to have the debate without the hate.