Interestingly, Squeers, I was awoken at 2am about three weeks back by a knock on the door. It was pouring rain and there lo and behold was an Aboriginal lady who I'd never seen before asking me to please ring her a taxi. I rang but the taxi service refused to come as they said they'd already been to the address (down the road) and that the prospective passengers weren't in any condition to be picked up. The upshot was that two Aboriginal women sat on my front porch out of the rain for an hour while we chatted and I rang around to various kin of theirs for someone to take them in. No luck there. But I made them both a coffee and we chatted about where they came from and who they felt connected with. They were both broke but sober and in the end they left with one of my old umbrellas and wandered off into the night.

Surreal for sure, but I think all three of us were richer for having met and shared the experience. I think that's what people here are saying - that if you meet someone, it's rewarding to share histories.

I was asked by a Sri Lankan (attendent at a petrol station) which country I came from and I replied, I am from this country! He persisted and asked me again, "no I mean which country did you oome from?" to which I responded. I came from this country, so did my parents and my great great great great great grandparents". He was obviously puzzled with my response. Clearly he had no understanding that I was Indigenous/Aboriginal. From my many encounters of this nature it appears that so many new Australians that come here from ex colonial /British empire countries know nothing about this country's history or its first people.

I agree with the comment by o sung wu - if new Aussies don't engage with longer-term Aussies it is likely to take them a very long time to really 'settle in'. Still, it is understandable if some are reluctant to do so, perhaps because of difficulty with the language (as a second and very new language for some, or for many), and perhaps because their overseas experience (land of origin or of transition) has caused them to be wary of strangers or of any of a different ethnicity, culture, religion or even mode of dress.

Perhaps also, some may have formed a detrimental view of Aussies and of Australia from their experience in detention - and may in consequence harbour ingrained feelings of dislike and distrust, more's the pity. Would that detention were not necessary, or could be much shorter for all, and a lot more amenable - but Oz has a duty of care in relevant screening processes, and this may unfortunately take considerable time, is not a perfect process, and may be hindered by lack of papers or lack of means to verify claims.

Oz is not just an open door to a brand new life for all comers, or we would soon be overrun, and with the danger of inheriting many of the problems from which people seeking asylum have fled in the first place.

Unfortunately I also get the impression that some new Aussies may not wish to 'settle in' to our way of life, but want to hold strenuously to their native culture, language and habits at the exclusion of all else - and so seek, and hold on to, enclaves of similar interest.

Not all Aussies are garrulous of course, but the great majority seem to be a very fine bunch, with nary a hint of racism or prejudice among them. Seek and you will find the 'heart' of this country and its people, and that we're not such a 'weird mob' after all.

Let me rephrase my original post.
The answer to "Passive Racism", whatever that is lies not with political correctness or liberties and prohibitions doled out by the state, understanding will only come from...hold on to your hats...understanding each other.
Ramesh and other newly minted Anti Racists like him can't have it both ways, they can't accuse White people of being ignorant bigots and at the same time demand that they as non Whites should at no time be required to give an account of themselves lest they be inconvenienced or embarrassed.
Unhindered free speech is a custom of all ordinary folk, out in the real world people just get along or avoid each other, you learn, through common sense and experience the tastes , preferences and habits of different ethnic and racial groups. I can only conclude that Ramesh is angling for a spot in the segregated, somewhat surreal world of the PC Managerial and Academic caste, where adherence to dogma and repeating certain words matter more than things like congeniality and pride in one's heritage.

BTW Squeers don't you think you're being just a teensy bit patronising toward Aboriginals in saying that they are unable to speak up on their own behalf?
The worst case scenario fro a multi-racial society would be to have a breakdown in communication with only the PC managerial and academic caste as go betweens and interpreters. And who are the Aboriginals supposed to be talking to anyway, the state, which is their main benefactor and protector?

The OP seems to have settled in nicely to the new age Oz way of life.
Far more lucrative to cry foul than to have a go.
If this experience was the most upsetting that you encounter, you're gonna be all right mate.

I suspect you're a rare beast, Poirot.
It occurs to me that it's be perfectly legitimate to say to any true blue, "Where are you from?" And when he retorts indignant, "I'm Australian!" One could ask, "No, I mean originally?"
Aboriginal Australians are really the only ones who have the right to ask the question with that proprietorial air. The rest of us are immigrants.