‘Our most undesirable migrants usually have some redeeming qualities but not Aziz’: character and the politics of integration, 1976–1984

This article follows the story of prohibited immigrant Noory Aziz and long battle between Department Immigration officials Tasmanian Liberal MP Michael Hodgman over his residency status. It examines how presented competing narratives around with each narrative informed by shifting racial politics social contexts late 1970s early 1980s. Drawing on Department’s detailed archival record, it is argued that contending side in this constructed a concept ‘immigrant’ represented, one hand, undeserving migrant poor character and, other, ideal migrant, exemplary ‘type’ Australia ought to favour.