Australia is being toxic about immigrants again

<p>A High Court decision ruling indefinite detention unlawful – leading to the release of 148 immigration detainees, some of whom are criminals – has sparked weeks of toxic political debate about refugees.</p><p>In the last few days, the government raced to pass new immigration laws that will put an end to it, but the style of debate has already caused damage.</p><p>So, what have we learned from the debacle, and did Australia miss an opportunity to have a conversation about our hardline immigration policy?</p><p>Today, contributing editor of <em>The Politics</em> for <em>The Monthly</em> online, Rachel Withers, on how parliament ended the year on ugly scenes.</p><p><br /></p><p><strong>Socials: </strong>Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/7ampodcast">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a></p><p><strong>Guest:</strong> Contributing editor of <em>The Politics</em> for <em>The Monthly</em> online, Rachel Withers</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>