Shadow Immigration Minister says most Australians ‘want’ to help more refugees

Australians want more refugees and it’s time for Tony Abbott to show leadership on the issue, says shadow immigration minister Richard Marles.

He is urging the federal government to take a one-off intake of 10,000 Syrian refugees.

‘What we’re proposing is a contribution which is in line with community opinion,’ Mr Marles told Tom Elliott on 3AW Drive.

‘And one we can absolutely afford, if we get around the table.

‘We shouldn’t be seeing leadership on the conservative side of politics being driven by the state opposition leader, or the NSW Premier.

‘We should be seeing this done by the Prime Minister himself.

‘I think if we do get around the table, we can make it happen and it’s what Australians would want to happen.’

LISTEN: The Shadow Minister for Immigration says more needs to be done

Assistant Treasurer Josh Frydenberg agreed that more needed to be done and he expected it would.

‘I think it’s in Australia’s interest to respond humanely and generously to the catastrophe that is occurring in Europe right now,’ he said on 3AW Drive.

LISTEN: Josh Frydenberg joins Tom Elliott on 3AW Drive