Former Prime Minister blasts politicians over Australian immigration row

According to Mr Fraser, the ongoing Australian immigration row is damaging the country's international standing and politicians are more concerned with attacking each other than coming to a solution.

"Both major political parties are rattling around at the bottom of the barrel trying to find something derogatory they can say about the other party," said Mr Fraser.

"I believe at the moment they would use any issue if they think there's a vote in it."

Mr Fraser, himself a Liberal Party politician, said the problems could be traced back to fellow Liberal Prime Minister John Howard, who Mr Fraser said used asylum seekers arriving by boat as a means to gain political credibility.

He said Mr Howard's efforts had meant many Australians now have a 'totally toxic and false view' of asylum seekers.

"At heart, I don't believe the great majority of Australians are racist, but the government has behaved as though we are."

Mr Fraser said Australia's international reputation was being damaged by the continuing fight between parties and, with little hope for a solution in sight, said he would like to see future politicians of a different mould than the current crop of career politicians.

"I would like to see in the Parliament people who have achieved something in their own right before they become members of Parliament. So if it doesn't work out, if they have a serious issue of conscience, they are prepared to support their conscience and, if necessary, walk away from it all."

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The Australian Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in helping people lodge their Australian visa application with the Australian High Commission.