Time to play the migration card

Liav Orgad, an international expert in the field, argues that selective immigration is justifiable to protect cultural essentials. And the Brookings Institution's Shadi Hamid argues: "Liberalism … needs liberals to survive and prosper." No majority Muslim country is a liberal democracy.

Many Muslims in those countries are illiberal. Their values are inconsistent with liberal Australia.

Until now, Australia has chosen immigrants mainly on the basis of language and employment skills. But even educated people may harbour thoughts and practices inimical to Australia.

Only an ideologue would believe that the disquiet felt by many Australians at the prospect of further Muslim immigration could be understood as the liberal society failing the test of multiculturalism.

Where multiculturalism clashes with the security of Australians it has little chance of remaining public policy. In a liberal society, the only quibble is how to arrive at the point of abandonment.

Put your thinking caps on, Coalition, you need to crush the opposition, and win big. Then, and only then, can Australia pay its debts.