Gell uses day to question immigration

Jessica Benton
AN AUSTRALIA Day ambassador has used a citizenship ceremony at Queenscliff to question the country’s immigration levels.
Television personality Rob Gell called for a halt to immigration as Borough of Queenscliffe welcomed a single new Australian citizen, Amanda McEvoy.
Mr Gell said Australia could not sustain existing immigration levels.
“The human economy is in overshoot. Now we have to pay for our ecological pollution,” he warned.
“We need to look at building a nation that can respond to global and environmental issues. I’m not being controversial, I’m being real.”
Mr Gell received loud applause from his audience of more than 300.
The ceremony welcomed Ms McEvoy, from England, as the borough’s newest Australian citizen.
“I couldn’t think of a more lucky or privileged position to be in,” she said.
The event also included Australia Day awards to acknowledge groups and individuals for community involvement.
Queenscliff Lighthouse Theatre Group was awarded for its Sound of Music production. Queenscliff Playground Community Working Group won a service award, while Lisa Hanley and John Anwyl were named junior and adult citizens of the year respectively.