This week, as the federal government launched its Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, many politicians have engaged in familiar rhetoric about Islamic extremism, framing the issue around immigration and who we allow into Australia.
Without question, the federal government is responsible for minimising risks to national security and managing population numbers and national resources. These are important policy considerations and our elected representatives must be held to account when they fail in their responsibilities. But if the problem they are seeking to address is threats to social cohesion, it seems to me that we need better regulation of digital platforms, not simply of borders. Tighter immigration restrictions won’t stop the spread of hate, misinformation or extremist ideologies online.