Indian-Origin Candidate Condemns SA Premier's 'Offensive' Immigration Comments
An Indian-origin political candidate in South Australia has launched a strong critique against the state's Premier, labeling his recent statements on immigration as deeply insulting to migrant communities. Deepa Mathew, who is running for the Family First party in the South Australian upper house, expressed personal hurt over remarks made by Premier Peter Malinauskas during a public forum in Adelaide.
Premier's Controversial Remarks on Migration
Speaking at an event organized by the Committee for Economic Development of Australia, Premier Malinauskas addressed concerns about immigration policy while advocating for increased skilled migration. In his comments, he specifically directed a question toward One Nation voters, asking them to consider "who's going to feed you and bathe you and wipe your bum when you're 90" if immigration levels were significantly reduced.
The Premier was outlining his government's strategy to boost skilled migration to address critical workforce shortages in several key sectors:
- Defense industry projects, including submarine construction
- Mining operations across the state
- Housing construction to address accommodation shortages
Malinauskas warned that without consistent migration flows, South Australia risked missing out on substantial economic growth opportunities and the creation of well-paid employment positions. He acknowledged that advocating for higher migration might not be universally popular but maintained it was essential for the state's long-term prosperity.
Migrant Candidate's Emotional Response
Deepa Mathew, who relocated from India to Adelaide two decades ago with her husband and infant child, took particular offense at the Premier's choice of language. She argued that his comments perpetuated harmful stereotypes about migrants' roles in society.
"Like thousands of other migrants, we came seeking opportunity, freedom and a better future," Mathew stated. "To reduce migrants to people who exist solely to 'wipe bums' is offensive and beneath the office of Premier."
Mathew, who previously worked in banking before establishing her own small business, emphasized her family's contributions to Australian society since their arrival. She highlighted their consistent tax payments, hard work, and active community participation as evidence of migrants' multifaceted value beyond any single occupational category.
Call for More Respectful Migration Discourse
The political candidate called for a more nuanced and respectful approach to immigration policy discussions. "South Australia needs an immigration policy that is fair, orderly and sustainable," she asserted. "We must align migration settings with housing supply, infrastructure and cost-of-living pressures — not use migrants as a political prop."
Mathew's criticism found support from Cory Bernardi, One Nation's lead upper house candidate in South Australia, who also condemned the Premier's wording as inappropriate. Bernardi added that the comments were unfair to professional carers, noting that aged care represents an important and respected profession that deserves dignity in public discourse.
Government Response and Defense
A government spokesperson responded to the controversy by expressing disappointment that the Premier's remarks were being "misrepresented for political reasons." The spokesperson did not elaborate on what specific aspects were allegedly mischaracterized but maintained the government's commitment to a migration policy supporting economic development.
Premier Malinauskas has stood by the substance of his argument while acknowledging the sensitivity of immigration discussions. He reiterated that skilled migration remains crucial for filling job vacancies and ensuring South Australia's competitive position in key industries, particularly defense projects that require specialized technical expertise.
The exchange highlights the ongoing tension between economic arguments for migration and concerns about how migrant contributions are framed in political rhetoric, with this incident sparking broader conversations about respectful representation in Australia's immigration debates.
