Majority in Australia still positive on immigration: Survey

A majority of Australians remain positive about immigration despite the global economic crisis, but rising fears of discrimination and safety were found in areas where the immigrant population was concentrated, a new survey has said.



Thirty-seven per cent Australians questioned for a social cohesion survey believed their country's immigration intake was too high while one in 10 was strongly against immigration leaving a majority of the 3800 people questioned with a positive view.



Defying trends of rising concern about immigration in bleak economic times, the survey by philanthropic Scanlon Foundation showed that a major portion of Australians were still positive about foreigners moving into their country.



The survey also indicated rising concern over perceptions of safety, levels of trust and discrimination in areas of high immigration surveyed, such as the Dandenong and Broadmeadows suburbs of Melbourne, 'The Age' reported today. Half of those from non-English-speaking backgrounds in high immigration areas feared becoming a victim of crime against the 32 per cent national figure.

Source: indianexpress.com/