Liberal senator says repeated use of term ‘mass migration’ is inaccurate and ‘extremely unhelpful’

Andrew McLachlan has condemned the ‘inflammatory and irresponsible’ language being used in the Coalition’s debate over immigration levels

• Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates

• Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast

A Liberal senator has condemned the “inflammatory and irresponsible” language being deployed in the debate over immigration levels, challenging colleagues to approach the policy in a “respectful and honest way” or risk backlash from voters.

The South Australian backbencher Andrew McLachlan said the repeated use of the phrase “mass” migration to describe the rate of immigration was not only “technically inaccurate” but “extremely unhelpful”.