A t yesterday's meeting of political and religious leaders in Canberra, the Prime Minister declared Australia as the most successful multicultural society in the world.
Malcolm Turnbull paid tribute to the innocent police department worker killed by a 15-year-old Muslim extremist in Parramatta this month and said the murder would be best answered by "being strong and resolute in our unity".
Mr Turnbull has been widely praised -- not just by religious leaders but by law enforcement, too -- for his more inclusive language in the wake of the Parramatta attack. The mostly peaceful Muslim Australian community needs support and encouragement to work with authorities by deterring radicalisation and identifying potential extremists in their midst.
However, unity is a far easier concept to talk about than it is to practise. Mr Turnbull is right that we are a multicultural success story that should not be threatened by a minority of criminals.
But there are concerns in the community specifically about Muslim immigration -- and not just from the minority of badly behaved xenophobic extremists who hold ugly demonstrations.
A survey by the Australian Institute for Progress indicates a societal division on refugee policy and arrivals from Islamic countries. The survey of 1349 Australians cannot be dismissed as xenophobia. The majority approved of immigration and many actually wanted an increase.
The concerns were particularly about the perception of Muslim immigrants' inability to integrate into Australian society.
The Prime Minister should not dismiss these fears. It is a conversation the nation needs to be mature enough to have. 
Questions have to be able to be openly asked and discussed -- not at ugly rallies such as the one in Bendigo at the weekend but in a rational debate. 
If we are a predominantly Christian nation, should we favour predominantly Christian migration? 
Or should we be examining how we can encourage better integration of Muslim migrants?
Right now, we are about to accept an exceptional intake of Syrian refugees.
This nation was open-hearted when the extent of the humanitarian tragedy was revealed but some Australians also have valid concerns.
The Government's authorities who are currently screening potential "new Australians" need to ensure that despite the overwhelming numbers and chaotic surrounds, they apply stringent security checks.
This intake should be carefully selected and then encouraged to be part of the community in their new home.
Australia must find a way to be the generous, tolerant society we can all be proud of while being mature enough to discuss the immigration policies we want for the future.