Dear GH, I enjoyed your piece, A New Australian. I am, I fear, one of the 'miserabilist right' whom you disparage; and I also fear you misunderstand the concern. I played under-age cricket for Toombul in Brisbane (decades ago in my teens and 20s). I met then and I continue to count as friends many immigrants. I do not, however, regard it as irrational or intolerant - or even miserable - to call for a pause and a review of the system that has admitted murderers to our beaches and which seemingly has at least partly contributed to pricing most of our children out of the housing market. Please give my regards to Mustafa and assure my countryman that he should be confident that even those who are calling for a pause and a review are not opposed to him. At all. (Unless he's going to sign up for Valleys - then there would be trouble.)
Don't worry Stephen, the system is already paused. In Mustafa's case, it has not moved in four years. You can also rest assured that he is in no position to compete with your children in buying a house - he is too busy supporting his family. The evidence of immigration affecting housing affordability, in any case, is meagre: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-07/effect-of-migration-on-housing-in-several-starts/105980904.
Thanks Gideon. I'm not worried and I'm not miserable. I do often despair about the rancour and poverty of much of our public discourse. Happily, you and I are a beacon of bonhomie in these too-dark days ...
We were in Perth for 6 months last year. We were commonly told that WA was receiving 10,000 immigrants per month. Apparently it is having, or in that period at least, the highest immigrant distribution for any state. It's hard to imagine that increase in demand is not followed by cost increase. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-19/perth-s-median-house-price-surges-through-1m-mark/106244510 .
No doubt there are many levers, different personal situations and Government priorities in all these matters. Those of us who are not in the housing market are lucky. But if we are not in a capital city we aren't likely to be able to move to one any time soon if we had the need. Perhaps the protester at one of the rallies, carrying a placard with the slogan "it's the pace not the race" had a more logical or practical view of the situation than those who have pulled up the drawbridges in their towers.
Mustafa's situation if I recall correctly includes problems at the originating end. We can only hope that it can be resolved positively, sooner rather than later.
Fantastic, Gideon. Both my kids have had to go down the partner visa route for their partners, which looks like a huge undertaking (financially, organisationally, mentally) - it was arduous enough for people coming from “preferred” countries, so I can’t imagine the hoops that have to be jumped through for Mustafa’s wife. All power to you!
Terrific work Gideon. As a fellow Geelong supporter, I applaud your compassion and your friend's tenacity... his choice of a team, however.... but seriously, when are we going to admit in this country that immigration made us, makes us... Carn Mustafa.
As well as having the good sense to barrack for the Pies & I trust enjoying a hot 4’n twenty have you signed him up for the Yarras Gideon - well done both of you
Mustafa, welcome. And you are so most welcome. In Gideon you have a friend with a conduit to many more friends. Myself and my wife are Et Al friends of yours for life. Congrats M, you are a couragious resiliant man. So good to welcome another person of substance to this country. A country who's life raft to others could always be better inflated!!
Thanks Gideon. Thanks! The world it seems has all kinds, including Miserablists and Pies. Would that it, and Oz, had more Mustafas. Welcome Mustafa, welcome.
Dear GH, I enjoyed your piece, A New Australian. I am, I fear, one of the 'miserabilist right' whom you disparage; and I also fear you misunderstand the concern. I played under-age cricket for Toombul in Brisbane (decades ago in my teens and 20s). I met then and I continue to count as friends many immigrants. I do not, however, regard it as irrational or intolerant - or even miserable - to call for a pause and a review of the system that has admitted murderers to our beaches and which seemingly has at least partly contributed to pricing most of our children out of the housing market. Please give my regards to Mustafa and assure my countryman that he should be confident that even those who are calling for a pause and a review are not opposed to him. At all. (Unless he's going to sign up for Valleys - then there would be trouble.)
Don't worry Stephen, the system is already paused. In Mustafa's case, it has not moved in four years. You can also rest assured that he is in no position to compete with your children in buying a house - he is too busy supporting his family. The evidence of immigration affecting housing affordability, in any case, is meagre: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-07/effect-of-migration-on-housing-in-several-starts/105980904.
Thanks Gideon. I'm not worried and I'm not miserable. I do often despair about the rancour and poverty of much of our public discourse. Happily, you and I are a beacon of bonhomie in these too-dark days ...
We were in Perth for 6 months last year. We were commonly told that WA was receiving 10,000 immigrants per month. Apparently it is having, or in that period at least, the highest immigrant distribution for any state. It's hard to imagine that increase in demand is not followed by cost increase. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-19/perth-s-median-house-price-surges-through-1m-mark/106244510 .
No doubt there are many levers, different personal situations and Government priorities in all these matters. Those of us who are not in the housing market are lucky. But if we are not in a capital city we aren't likely to be able to move to one any time soon if we had the need. Perhaps the protester at one of the rallies, carrying a placard with the slogan "it's the pace not the race" had a more logical or practical view of the situation than those who have pulled up the drawbridges in their towers.
Mustafa's situation if I recall correctly includes problems at the originating end. We can only hope that it can be resolved positively, sooner rather than later.
Welcome Mustafa!
GH, why not put the Mr Tulk petition on your site so others can add their names?
Fantastic, Gideon. Both my kids have had to go down the partner visa route for their partners, which looks like a huge undertaking (financially, organisationally, mentally) - it was arduous enough for people coming from “preferred” countries, so I can’t imagine the hoops that have to be jumped through for Mustafa’s wife. All power to you!
Terrific work Gideon. As a fellow Geelong supporter, I applaud your compassion and your friend's tenacity... his choice of a team, however.... but seriously, when are we going to admit in this country that immigration made us, makes us... Carn Mustafa.
Surely it’s time to realize we are all descended from immigrants whether reluctant or otherwise
As well as having the good sense to barrack for the Pies & I trust enjoying a hot 4’n twenty have you signed him up for the Yarras Gideon - well done both of you
Beautiful. Moved me to tears.
If Mustafa likes Collingwood he’s won me. Well done to you both.
Mustafa, welcome. And you are so most welcome. In Gideon you have a friend with a conduit to many more friends. Myself and my wife are Et Al friends of yours for life. Congrats M, you are a couragious resiliant man. So good to welcome another person of substance to this country. A country who's life raft to others could always be better inflated!!
Fabulous! I wish you all the best Mustafa! Welcome.
Oh Mustafa, when you see the light, the red and black of Essendon warmly awaits you (our very best to you and your family)
Mustafa, welcome. Our multicultural society is this country’s greatest asset.
Welcome Mustafa!
Gid, you are a very great man.
Mustafa, mate many welcomes along! But the ‘Pies? Come on….
For its many flaws it remains a great joint to live..I really trust you will see the best of it…..
Thanks Gideon. Thanks! The world it seems has all kinds, including Miserablists and Pies. Would that it, and Oz, had more Mustafas. Welcome Mustafa, welcome.
It is not the ‘miserabilist right’, it is both sides of the ‘divide’ which basically sees no divide
Great stuff 👏