MELBOURNE: Migrants should be taught about the importance of wearing deodorant and waiting in queues without pushing in, an Australian opposition MP says.
Cultural awareness training should also be given by employers bringing skilled migrants into Australia under the working visa programme, the Liberal/National Coalition’s citizenship spokeswoman Teresa Gambaro told The Australian newspaper.
Gambaro, the member for Brisbane, said she was concerned about new migrants on work visas not integrating into the community because Australia had failed to teach them about cultural issues related to health, hygiene and lifestyle.
“Without trying to be offensive, we are talking about hygiene and what is an acceptable norm in this country when you are working closely with other co-workers,” she said.
Wearing deodorant and waiting in line politely were about “teaching what are norms in Australia.”
Admitting that her comments may be viewed as controversial, she added that Australians were sometimes guilty of not wearing deodorant on public transport.
“We all need to be mindful of our fellow travellers,” Gambaro said.
She said migrants also needed to be educated about their rights and how to improve their chances of getting work. – Bernama