Insight: June 21

Ahead of the upcoming election Insight looks at what politics looks like to Australia’s newest citizens.

Jenny Brockie hears from first-time voters, who’ve been granted citizenship between this election and the last, to hear what they’ll do with their first vote.

For many Australians, the political cycle is old news. However, for one group of Australians, it’s a different story altogether. Australia’s newest citizens come into this election with fresh eyes on our politicians – and in some cases, a completely new set of ideas.

Our guests outline the issues which matter most to them as new Australians, and how their personal backgrounds influence their views on Australian democracy. When it comes to this campaign, what do new Australians see that Australian-born citizens don’t?

Guests include:

Sami Shah
Sami came to Australia in 2012, from Pakistan. He believes immigrants are more sensitive to political upheaval than Australians are, and therefore more politically-engaged. Sami also feels there are very few differences between the two major parties.

Asha Nair
Asha is a mother of two who came to Australia in 2010. She feels Australian democracy allows her a voice she would not be afforded in her native India, and is glad Australian parties have the ability to oust a sitting leader.

Fadzi Whande
Fadzi arrived in regional NSW in 2006, before moving to Perth. She sees many flaws in the leadership of recent times, and believes we need a leader who will truly foster Australia’s multicultural development.

Hashmat Najib
After fleeing the war in Afghanistan, Hashmat arrived in Australia on a student visa. He was later granted refugee status, and given a protection visa. Hashmat sees this election as an opportunity to exercise his democratic right, for the first time in his life.

Jorge Fallas
Jorge came to Australia from Costa Rica on a scholarship, and eventually settled in Melbourne. He does not believe multiculturalism is a viable option for Australia, and instead feels that patriotism should be more greatly encouraged, to allow newcomers to assimilate faster.

Tuesdays at 8.30pm on SBS.