WORLD : Australian Beckons Asian Migrants

SINGAPORE —  Australia needs more Asian migrants to reach its full potential, a senior member of Australia’s opposition Liberal Party said today.

“They (Asian migrants) make wonderful citizens,” said Sallyanne Atkinson, the Liberal mayor of Brisbane, who is in Singapore attending an urban development conference.

“If we are ever to reach our full potential . . . we must have more people,” she said. “Australia has a lot to learn from Asia and nothing to fear.” She said about 500 Asians took Australian citizenship each week in Brisbane, most coming from Hong Kong and the Philippines.