CAF forum examines immigration, multiculturalism and public debate in a changing Australia

On 18 August, 2026, the Chinese Australian Forum (CAF) hosted “Immigration: Facts and Fiction – Migration and Multiculturalism in a Changing Australia” in partnership with the Australia-China Relations Institute (ACRI) at UTS.

With immigration again at the centre of Australia’s political and public debate, the forum brought together community members, policy experts and academics to examine what is supported by facts, data and lived experience — and what may be shaped by political rhetoric, misunderstanding or media narratives.

Panellists included Dr Abul Rizvi, former Deputy Secretary of the Department of Immigration; Professor Wanning Sun, Deputy Director of UTS and Professor of Media and Communication; and Osmond Chiu, Research Fellow at Per Capita.

Discussion covered the relationship between immigration and housing pressures, including the interaction between population growth, housing demand, supply constraints, infrastructure and government policy. The forum also considered how Chinese Australians are represented in debates around immigration and multiculturalism, and the importance of active community participation in public policy discussions.

CAF President Vanessa Chan reflected on CAF’s establishment in the mid-1980s during the “Blainey debates” and concerns about the so-called “Asianisation” of Australia. While Australia has changed significantly over the past four decades, she noted that aspects of today’s debate can feel “unnervingly familiar.”

For more than 40 years, CAF has worked to promote Chinese Australian participation in Australia’s political and public life and to support multiculturalism.

CAF thanks the panellists, ACRI, UTS and everyone who joined the discussion.