German election result has lessons for us on immigration policy

Your editorial rightly points out that Germany’s shift to the right is a reaction to unchecked immigration and repeated terrorist attacks (“Germany has moved to the right”, 25/2).

This trend isn’t unique – France, The Netherlands, Britain and Sweden have all experienced similar backlashes as mass migration from the Middle East and North Africa has contributed to social tensions.

Former German chancellor Angela Merkel’s well-meaning but flawed policies led to fragmentation and a rise in extremism. Australia would be wise to learn from Europe’s mistakes. Stricter immigration and integration policies are essential for maintaining social stability.

Vetting should ensure new arrivals share our democratic values, while mandatory civic education should reinforce Australian laws, human rights and cultural expectations.

Hate speech and extremism must carry real consequences, including deportation when necessary.

A key question is whether broad bans should apply to immigrants from countries where different legal systems, the goal of global jihad and anti-Semitism are prevalent or whether a balanced immigration policy should assess migrants individually based on language proficiency, workplace skills and cultural adaptability.

With immigration set to be an election issue, it may not be too late to avoid the mistakes made by Europe.

John Kempler, Rose Bay, NSW

The US shift of focus from Europe to our region that Alexander Downer discusses in his column is a most welcome development for Australia (“Trump right to call out Europe, shift US focus to our region”, 25/2).

It has put a fire under the European nations that since World War II have relied heavily on the US for defence.

As Downer points out, the European nations could well afford to do more for themselves if they sorted out their energy and immigration problems, as Donald Trump is doing.

In 2024, Germany spent as much on catering for migrants as it did on defence, and having closed its nuclear power plants post-Fukushima it has had to import power from neighbours now that Russian gas has been cut off.

Many Germans just voted for tough immigration control and the energy policy now used by most nations to generate the cheapest possible electricity by whatever it takes.

These are possibly the very policies we need, and hopefully will get after the next election.

Doug Hurst, Chapman, ACT

Mythical Iran

Senator Fatima Payman’s claim that Iran is an incredible place for women is laughable (“Iran incredible place for women: Payman”, 25/2).

There is only one country in the Middle East that guarantees that women have equal rights, including the right to vote, travel, work, speak, wear whatever they like and have a relationship with whomever they wish.

The estimated 900,000 Muslim women who are citizens of Israel are unlikely to be moving to Iran or any other Arab country in the near future.

Victor Ziegler, Maroubra, NSW

Senator Fatima Payman’s claims that Iran is a pro-women democracy is absurd.

Kylie Moore-Gilbert, an academic who was imprisoned in Iran, should know.

Anthony J. Huntley, Toorak, Vic

Senator Fatima Payman’s claim that Iran is “an incredible place” for women may be safely disregarded. She can afford to be generous in her assessment — she no longer personally faces the prospect of a life spent shuffling around peering through a mesh face-screen.

Terry Birchley, Bundaberg, Qld

Medicare shortfall

Even with the proposed increase in Medicare funding of GP visits, the average urban doctor would still be $20 a visit short of the income received by privately billing (“We still won’t be able to bulk bill”, 24/2). It is hard to reconcile this data with Anthony Albanese’s assertion that bulk billing will represent 90 per cent of all consultations.

The Prime Minister is probably expecting doctors to be so altruistic or economically illiterate as to move to a lesser payment.

Or he is relying on faulty mathematics.

Colin J. Agnew, Nedlands, WA

Ukraine offer

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has set the cat among the pigeons with his patriotic offer to quit office in exchange for peace, his inclusion in peace talks between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, and Ukrainian membership of the NATO alliance (“Give us NATO membership and I’ll quit: Zelensky”, 25/2).

The offer is generous and demands a swift and proper answer from those who would have peace at any price to appease Russia.

Ian Dunlop, Hawks Nest, NSW