Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has been the subject of much rebuke this week, after he announced that he was considering how Australia could tailor its humanitarian program to offer shelter to persecuted South African farmers.

However many politicians and commentators have voiced opposition to the idea, with some contesting the group’s “persecuted” status.

“The hard left doesn’t want white people being recognised as refugees,” says Dr Jennifer Oriel.

“But conditions are deteriorating quite rapidly. In the ten years from 1991 to 2001, there were 1, 254 farm murders and 6, 122 farm attacks.”

It is thought the white minority would be good contributors if settled here.

 “We want to give priority to people in our humanitarian intake who qualify as persecuted, but who will also contribute positively to the development of Australia.”

Download this podcast here