A groundbreaking study has identified five major challenges preventing Chinese and South Asian-origin Australians from fully participating in the nation’s political life, with researchers calling for urgent reforms to engagement strategies ahead of next year’s federal election.
The comprehensive toolkit, released this week by researchers from the University of New South Wales, the University of Melbourne and Curtin University, draws on survey responses from 192 participants and seven focus groups to expose systemic barriers faced by these communities, from tokenistic representation to targeted misinformation campaigns.
Lead author Associate Professor Sukhmani Khorana from University of New South Wales says current approaches to engaging migrant communities often miss the mark. “We found that simply translating electoral information or appointing token diverse candidates isn’t enough. There needs to be genuine, sustained engagement that recognises the diversity within these communities.”
The research, which also involved advocacy and research body Allies in Colour as a key research partner, revealed that while over 90% of participants actively follow political news, many face significant hurdles to meaningful participation. Immigration status emerged as a particularly thorny issue, with temporary visa holders and permanent residents expressing fears about potential visa cancellation if they engage in political expression.
Gender and cultural dynamics also play a crucial role. “In conservative family cultures, women’s or younger family members’ involvement in politics may be viewed negatively,” explains Dr. Hao Zheng from Curtin University. “This affects how new migrants access and engage with political information.”
The study identified targeted misinformation as a growing concern, particularly content circulating in non-English languages through private messaging channels that often evade detection by Australian authorities. Dr. Fan Yang from the University of Melbourne notes that platforms’ automated disinformation detection tools struggle with content in languages other than English or in non-text formats like memes and videos.
“What’s particularly concerning is how this misinformation spreads through trusted social networks, making it especially persuasive,” says Dr. Yang.
| Challenge | Description | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Tokenistic engagement | Reliance on superficial approaches like simple translation or token appointments | Implement systematic communication strategies with platform-specific civic education |
| Systemic racism | Structural and everyday racism creating barriers to participation | Align with National Anti-Racism Framework and foster shared responsibility |
| Targeted misinformation | False narratives affecting migrant communities, especially in non-English channels | Adopt preventative measures to ‘prebunk’ misinformation and disinformation |
| Superficial representation | Over-focus on numerical diversity rather than genuine representation | Shift focus to authentic community representation in politics |
| One-size-fits-all approach | Failure to recognize diverse backgrounds and needs in engagement strategies | Develop inclusive civic education programs recognizing diverse needs |
Key findings and recommendations:
- Avoiding tokenism and promoting sustainable engagement: The toolkit urges Australian public agencies to prioritise meaningful interactions with migrant communities by implementing systematic and sustainable communication strategies. Tailored civic education programs on platform-specific bases are recommended, particularly for individuals with English as a second language.
- Addressing racism across sectors: Structural and everyday racism continue to hinder equitable participation. The researchers recommend aligning efforts with the Australian Human Rights Commission’s National Anti-Racism Framework and fostering shared responsibility among stakeholders to combat discrimination.
- Prebunking misinformation and disinformation: To mitigate harm from false narratives, the report calls for preventative measures and community-based interventions informed by practices in comparable countries.
- Enhancing diversity in political representation: The toolkit stresses the importance of shifting focus from superficial diversity metrics to candidates who genuinely represent the political interests of diverse communities.
- Recognising intra-community diversity: The toolkit highlights the need for tailored, inclusive civic education programs that reflect the varied backgrounds and interests within migrant cohorts and ethnic communities.
With the 2025 federal election approaching, the researchers emphasise the urgency of implementing these recommendations. They argue that current civic education resources, such as the ‘Common Bond’ citizenship test booklet, are inadequate for preparing new migrants for political participation in Australia’s compulsory voting system.
The toolkit’s release comes at a critical time when questions of political representation and participation are increasingly central to national conversations about Australia’s democratic future. As Associate Professor Khorana concludes, “The success of our democracy depends on ensuring all communities can meaningfully participate in political life. We can’t afford to leave anyone behind.”
