'Most migrants don't know what being Australian is': New minister responsible for multicultural affairs calls for 'foreign thugs' to be deported as he rails against African gangs
- Liberal MP Jason Wood says those who are willing to integrate will be supported
- Wood has always been vocal about his hard approach to African gang violence
- He says violent criminals should be deported no matter where they are from
- Wood has questioned the prison system's ability to rehabilitate offenders
An MP who will oversee multicultural affairs has said most migrants don't know what it is to be Australian and has vowed to crack down on African gangs.
Jason Wood, who will work under Peter Dutton as Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs, said he is concerned about integration.
Last month, the Liberal member for La Trobe slammed 'out of control African youth gangs' in Melbourne and has also said migrants who commit crimes should be deported.
Mr Wood told Sydney Morning Herald he made no apology for his earlier Facebook comments.
He said that while his new role requires him to listen to migrant communities, he's also concerned about how older Australians feel about immigrants.
Jason Wood, the new assistant minister for customs, community safety and multicultural affairs, is taking a hardened approach against the African 'gang crisis' and supports the deportation of 'foreign-born thugs'
'Most migrants when they come here don't know what it means to be Australian. It's more (about) making the effort to get multicultural groups together and mix with the other more traditional, sporting groups,' he told the publication.
Mr Wood also refused to row back on his previous comments that non-Australian citizens should be deported if they commit crimes.
'You put these guys in jail and they don't come out clean shaven and ready to work, they come out ready to go to the next level in the world of crime,' he said.
'If you're on a visa here and you commit a carjacking or home invasion ... I don't care where you're from, if that's what you do, you go home.'
Mr Wood had previously said on Facebook that 'African gangs were out of control' in response to recent violence at Melbourne's Fountain Gate shopping centre.
Last month he wrote: 'I've secured legislation to deport foreign-born thugs, but Bill Shorten and Labor will not support!
Mr Wood will be sworn in on Wednesday, and said in a Facebook status that he has 'no hesitation (in) calling out African gangs'
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'I've arranged with Minister for Home Affairs Mr Dutton, to have the AFP as part of a National Anti-Gangs Squad to target violent youth gangs in the South East and Western suburbs.'
Mr Wood will be sworn in on Wednesday, and said in a Facebook status that he has 'no hesitation (in) calling out African gangs'.
He went on to recognise the 'majority' of the African community follow our laws and 'contribute to Australian culture'.
Jason Wood says any non-citizen who commits violent crimes should be deported, no matter where they are from
La Trobe MP Jason Wood has adopted a tough rhetoric after a string of violent brawls at Fountain Gate Westfield
Mr Wood's comments were branded 'disturbing' by the chair of South Sudanese Community Association of Victoria, Achol Marial.
But the assistant minister said he has 'no regrets' over his remarks and says he will work closely with Sudanese and other migrant communities.
He added that many leaders of migrant communities had commended his honesty while recogising that the Liberals were the only party who would be able to get them jobs.
Mr Wood also aims to work with other ministers to combat unemployment, domestic violence and schoolyard bullying.
Mr Wood said he had arranged with Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton to 'have the AFP as part of a National Anti-Gangs Squad to target violent youth gangs in the South East and Western suburbs'
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