Concerns about immigration should not be ignored

This was because of a fear that immigrants would not integrate because of their religion, or more strongly that their religion was actively opposed to western culture, a sort of “culture jihad”. They differentiated this lack of integration from previous waves of immigrants who they saw as having been culturally more similar to pre-existing inhabitants, and therefore integrating relatively easily.

At its strongest this manifested in a concern that Australia is being colonised by Islam; Sharia Law, as well as being another cultural differentiator, was also seen as a potential threat.

Another issue was the perceived lack of economic skills of immigrants, so that they became a burden on society, rather than adding to its wealth.

There was also a human rights concern and this was present across all groups and arose from the perception that Islamic migrants were not just misogynistic, but homophobic.

So the hijab is raised as a symbol of violation of human rights, rather than just a cultural garment. Female genital mutilation was also frequently raised.

The idea that Islam discriminates against other religions also gives rise to human rights concerns arising from the issue of how non-believers may be treated.

Where to from here?

These are perceptions. They may be right, or they may be wrong.

For example there is some evidence from overseas that Islamic communities do not tend to integrate like previous migrant communities. Other evidence contradicts this.

But people vote on the basis of perceptions, not fact. To successfully settle these new immigrants we need to work out whether these issues are real, and deal with them.

Above all that means acknowledging that these concerns are genuine and real to those who hold them.

The lesson from our recent past is that ignoring them, or denigrating them, or attempting to marginalise them, won’t result in harmony, but a political explosion.

That is a lesson that the minority, as much as the majority, needs to heed.