I had to laugh at Tim Pascoe's statement that "Policy-makers have always utilised the national history curriculum as an instrument to construct a collective national identity...."

They used to Tim. But here in Australia and in other western countries, the people shaping the national curriculum have been doing their best to destroy a collective national identity in favour of some amorphous "multicultural" identity where separate religious, ethnic and racial groups are encouraged to celebrate their cultural uniqueness and revel in their social separatism from the mainstream.

Unless you think that Lebanising and Balkanising your own country into mutually hostile tribal groups is a wonderful way to create a peaceful country then that should be a concern to you. And from the sniffy tone of your article one gets the impression that destroying the social cohesion of your own country on some Quixotic quest to create a utopian society is exactly what you dream about.

When you consider the vigorous survival of the convict culture that began in 1788, it makes you wonder what real effect these elites have. For recent arrivals, this culture can be summarised as follows:

1. The government is the enemy of the people.

2. No taxation, with or without representation, with any deficiency in government finances being made up from the sale of politicians' assets.

3. The main problem with elections is that no matter whom you vote for, a politician is always elected.

4. Always vote NO in referendums.

This culture permeates society, from the attitude to tax avoidance to the policy of voting for one party in the reps and another in the Senate. It is profoundly suspicious and contemptuous of intellectuals. It is also the foundation of our liberties.

Another delightful expression of this culture is the upsurge in religion that occurs on the day before each election. (The electoral Act provides that in the event that you fail to vote in an election, and are sent a request for the "true reason" that you failed to do so, and you reply that you did so because it was against your religion, that this reply must be accepted as conclusive, and no further action will be taken).

Perhaps the most memorable expression of this culture that I have experienced occurred in Broken Hill in 1992, when Keating was PM and Hewson Opposition leader. When a miner was asked how he would vote in a referendum on a republic, he answered:

"I would have to vote NO. What an opportunity to stick it up Keating without having to elect Hewson"