Labor, refugee advocates condemn Coalition proposal for migrant hygiene classes

LABOR has ridiculed a Coalition call for health and hygiene classes for new immigrants, arguing lessons are needed but not in such trivial matters.

LABOR has ridiculed a Coalition call for health and hygiene classes for new immigrants, arguing lessons are needed but not in such trivial matters.

Labor MP Maria Vamvakinou, who chairs the parliamentary inquiry into multiculturalism said the Coalition’s citizenship spokeswoman Teresa Gambaro’s suggestion was ridiculous.

Ms Gambaro told The Australian immigrants should be taught about the Australian customs of wearing deodorant and waiting patiently in queues as part of a program to help them come to grips with local culture.

“When speaking of cultural norms in terms of hygiene, I can see comedians having a field day with this one. You've gotta laugh,” Ms Vamvakinou said today.

“The Inquiry has received many submissions recommending cultural training for both prospective employees and employers and the Committee will be looking at practical and meaningful ways to address some of the real issues for new migrants in the workplace, especially around English language and understanding workplace requirements”.

Sri Lankan refugee advocate Ramesh Fernandez said forcing immigrants to learn about the Australian customs of wearing deodorant and waiting patiently in queues is akin to "treating them like monkeys".

Mr Fernandez, who came to Australia by boat in 2001, said the proposal was "not reasonable".

"There is a pattern of treating migrants in abusive ways in this parliament," said Mr Fernandez, who runs the RISE refugee advocacy group.

"This is some sort of idiotic way of looking at migrant issues. These are general issues that everyone knows about. They are not coming from the zoo; this is just like treating them like monkeys."

He said assistance to help refugees and migrants to settle in was important, but this was the wrong way to deal with new immigrants.

"There are a lot of other issues we can actually tap into," Mr Fernandez said.

"Not only is this the wrong way to do things, its forcing people to do things according to practices they may not believe. It won't create a very integrated society."

Marianne Dickie, Sub-Dean of the Migration Law Program at the Australian National University, said the opposition's plan was "really offensive" especially given Ms Gambaro's parents were immigrants from Italy.

"Every migrant struggles against discrimination and the Italian community were at the forefront of these allegations for some time," Ms Dickie said.

"These are just ludicrous suggestions. There is no way for her (Ms Gambaro) to determine if the person on the bus who may or may not be wearing deodorant is a migrant what she's said is really offensive."