Bold Politics with Zack Polanski How To Beat The Anti-Immigration Playbook | Zoe Gardner
Sep 9, 2025
Zoe Gardner, a migration expert and advocate for refugees, joins the discussion to challenge common myths around immigration. She explains why asylum seekers often don't stay in the first safe country and advocates for better integration to improve lives and society. Gardner critiques the political silence surrounding migration discussions and urges for balanced media representation. She emphasizes the contributions of migrants to the economy and reveals a disconnect between public sentiment and media narratives, pointing to the need for rights-based approaches to migration.
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Small Boats Dominate Coverage, Not Reality
- Zoe Gardner says most public and media focus is on the 5% who cross small boats, distorting debate.
- She urges repeating the true proportions to correct public perception and coverage.
Broaden 'Refugee' Beyond Narrow Definitions
- Zoe Gardner argues the refugee/deserving distinction is too narrow and often misleading.
- She says economic migration is also about survival and should be recognised in protection systems.
Protect Rights While Managing Borders
- Do not strip migrants of rights simply because they crossed a border; protect human and worker rights.
- Manage migration with open, cooperative systems rather than caps to let migration self-regulate.