MP says migrants should be taught to wear deodorant

Teresa Gambaro said migrants need to be taught about 'acceptable norms' of hygiene in Australia. Photo / Thinkstock

A row has erupted in Australia after the Opposition's spokeswoman on citizenship said migrants should be taught about the importance of wearing deodorant and waiting in queues without pushing in.

Cultural awareness training should also be given by employers bringing skilled migrants into Australia under the 457 visa programme, Teresa Gambaro told the Australian.

In an interview with the newspaper, Gambaro 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".

The head of a migrant organisation it back at the Brisbane MP's comments, telling the Sydney Morning Herald that they had no place in modern Australia.

"Teresa Gambaro comes from the same background as mine and we grew up being called dirty wogs," said Pino Migliorino of the Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils, who, like Gambaro, has Italian heritage.

Migliorino said the comments would make Australia "look like a joke" to the global community and damage efforts to fill skill shortages by attracting overseas workers.

"This is no longer the 1960s, temporary migrants are people coming from a university background. To say 'you smell' is ridiculous."

He said her statement also undermined the Government's policy stance on encouraging skilled migration.

Labor MP Michelle Rowland called for Gambaro to apologise for insulting skilled migrants.

"Her comments are insulting and insensitive to the many doctors, nurses, accountants and engineers who have come to Australia on a skilled migration visa," said Rowland.

Gambaro admitted her comments might be viewed as controversial.

The MP for Brisbane said that although her comments might upset people, migrants also needed to be educated about their rights and how to improve their chances of getting work.

- AAP