South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has spoken out against rising anti-immigration sentiment in Australia.

He told 3AW Mornings host Tom Elliott that the focus of the national political debate seemed to be on what Australia is against, rather than what it should strive for.

Press PLAY to hear Malinauskas’ perspective on the national immigration debate

“The debate shouldn’t be dictated by a wave of populism, it should be dictated by what is in our national economic interest and our social interest,” he said.

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