We need open discussion on immigration issues

JULY 19, 2016: There has been a public and politically correct furore over TV identity Sonia Kruger's statements on further Islamic immigration, but she has every right to express her views.In April, I called for a ban on all immigration from countries with high levels of radicalisation.I made that call in light of a United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre report that violent extremism now posed a “clear and present danger” worldwide.It was also the same day that Federal Immigration Minister Peter Dutton announced that as many as 100 dual nationals stood to lose their Australian citizenship.We need to actively consider the banning of immigration from countries where we know the populace is radicalised or at least a significant proportion of the population is radicalised.The Immigration Minister Peter Dutton had said that the Liberal National Government was moving to strip more than 100 terrorists fighting with Islamic State of their Australian citizenship and that is exactly as it should be.These are highly radicalised dual nationals with combat experience who should never return to our shores.But we need to go further than that.Given this warning from the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Centre that the problem of violent extremism is “mushrooming” and now constitutes a “clear and present danger” across the world, we should move to protect Australian citizens from this threat.The greatest responsibility of government is to ensure the safety and security of its citizens.So why would we let anyone inside our borders if they come from a country with a high level or radicalism or violent extremism?It’s not racist to say this; it’s not bigoted to say this.This is a discussion this nation needs to have, and Ms Kruger should be able to express her views.In my opinion, some immigration restrictions are simply common sense.