Australia's multicultural fabric frays as anti-immigration sentiment rises

A recent poll reveals alarming trends against cultural diversity, igniting fears of rising racism.

Told by Claire Lawson · 29 August 2026

The 2026 Lowy Institute Poll has unveiled a disheartening trend in Australia: the most significant decline in support for cultural diversity recorded to date. Alarmingly, 20% of respondents now perceive cultural diversity as 'mostly negative', while 6% label it 'entirely negative'. This shift in sentiment is more than a statistic; it's a reflection of growing fears among many Australians about the rising tide of racism and hostility.

Adut Atem, a Sudanese refugee and business owner in Canberra, shared her recent experience of being accosted by a racist driver. Despite generally finding her community welcoming, she now senses that increasing anti-immigration sentiment is emboldening hostility. 'How do you feel safe if somebody out of nowhere is attacking you aggressively?' she asks.

The fear is echoed by leaders like Arif Haque from the Canberra Multicultural Community Forum, who notes that political statements can have immediate, harmful effects. He recounts experiencing a racist encounter for the first time in three decades, underscoring the palpable anxiety in multicultural communities.

The rhetoric surrounding a 'monoculture', championed by figures such as Pauline Hanson, has infiltrated public discourse. With recent polling indicating that more Australians resonate with her anti-immigration stance than with the major parties, the implications for social cohesion are dire.

However, there are voices of hope. Marion Le, a migration agent, believes that Canberra can remain a beacon of multiculturalism amid the prevailing fears. 'We've embraced multiculturalism, and I don't believe that the Australia portrayed by Pauline Hanson reflects the real Australia,' she insists.

As Australian society grapples with economic pressures and a shifting political landscape, the stakes for multicultural communities have never been higher. The question remains: can the fabric of diversity hold, or will it fray under the weight of rising intolerance?