Something has been missed so far in all discussions that I have seen on immigration, mutliculturalism and the like. ITS OUR COUNTRY! As the anthem says, we have boundless plains to share, but why shouldnt we (the citizens, whether born here or not), get to chose who we share them with and on what terms. It might not be the politically correct thing to do at the time to deny entry to certain people or groups, or require that certain standards be adhered to, but tough. I dont let anyone wander into my home just because they knocked on the door (and certainly not when they sneak in round the back - the heeler'd get 'em). I choose who I let come into my home (and if I let someone stay), why cant we choose who we let into out country and whether we let them stay. Whats so wrong with that? Sure sometimes we'll make the wrong decision, and sometimes we'll offend people, that's life and learning. But its ours, and we should have the right to permit and deny entry as WE see fit, not as the rest of the world dictates. And by "we" (in case anyone is wondering), I mean the Australian citizens, as represented by majority elected government (whether or not we individually agree with them).

As for removing interpreter services, I hardly see it as inhumane. If someone requires centrelink assistance (for example), they have been in our country long enough to learn enough language to get by. If they are citizens, then they should have passed an english test (so no need for an interpreter), and if not, then why cant their embassy provide an interpreter, why should it be Australia's expense.

Multiculturalism, in words of Stepan Kerkyasharian, the Chairman CRC NSW:
Quote:

"Multiculturalism recognises that the people of NSW are of different linguistic, religious, racial and ethnic backgrounds who, either individually or in community of other members of their respective groups, are free to profess and practice their heritage.

"All individuals in NSW irrespective of their linguistic, religious, racial and ethnic backgrounds must demonstrate a unified commitment to Australia, its interests and future. They must recognise the importance of shared values governed by the rules of law within a demographic framework."

Unquote

Thatis interesting, because few people from truly mulicultural counties, such as India, where different cultural groups have different laws and regulations, would even recognise what is described above as multiculturalism.

So, the question has to be asked: where do we 'draw the line' in terms of multiculturalism? And doesn't 'free to practise their heritage' imply that if their heritage is in conflict with that of the host culture then it is the host culture that has to give way?

What if their culture intrinsically rejects he 'shared values' of the democracy that we live in? To give an example, for most of our society we have elected representatives. Many cultural groups have 'community leaders' who are not elected. These are incompatible in a democracy.

And what if a group see Australia's 'interests and future' in ways that the rest of us don't agree? They are still being committed to Australia in their own eyes, just not in a way that is shared by the host culture.

Ah Friday! - still the war goes on.

I have trouble remembering the names of some of the posters -

however any one who still equates terrorism with immigration or the in ability to speak english with terrorism needs to relax - they wont getya! really they wont - you're more likely to get your throat slit by an irate family member that blown up by a terrorist. So when the in laws turn up unannounced, be alert and possibly alarmed

Country Gal I remember your name - if only because of your insistance it is OUR COUNTRY - I have no idea what that means - I fell from my mothers womb and landed I know what where - I got lucky I suppose - this is not my land it is a place where I live.

Curiously - our National Anthem (the old one) made no reference to this land being ours - just about the Kween and how she was glorious and she rained on us - maybe thats why its so bloody dry - we dont sing to her any more

at least immigrants whether they speak english or not chose to come here - I have chosen to stay for only as long as it suits me - but they un like me - or most of us - have probably given the nation a pledge of allegiance at their citizen ship ceremony -

you could say many who are live here are just to dumb or lazy to leave

And as for english - our pollies spend more on self promotion than we do on multi lingual tramslations - of documents even a Rhodes scholar would struggle with.

Can any one tell me what difference it makes if some one can not speak english? -

SKhan,
I did not give examples of aspects of other cultures that are not permitted here simply because they have been quoted many times on OLO and I thought most people would know of a few.

Also Hamlet gave some (be it tongue in cheek) in the next post and B-D gave a couple in his post.

However I will list a few. Polygomy, arranged marriages, child marriages, female circumcission, revenge killings, honour killings,
incest, bullfights, cockfights, eating some foods such as dog meat, dolphin meat, etc. voting for females, complete covering of the female body, the oppression of women, right to carry firearms in public place. These are just a few cultural matters different to Australia. I would not argue that our culture is seperior but that it is different and persons from other cultures should respect that and act accordingly.

If we do not allow certain cultural practises, I do not see how we can claim to be multicultural. Some people place a lot of importance on some cultural practises that we do not allow.

Kerkesharyian said:

"Multiculturalism recognises that the people of NSW are of different linguistic, religious, racial and ethnic backgrounds who, either individually or in community of other members of their respective groups, are free to profess and practice their heritage."

Well.. clearly from his NAME he is Armenian.
Lets say.. he wants to write a book or produce a TV show about the TURKISH GENOCIDE against Armenians in 1914-18. Does he want the Turkish elements of our community to simply lap it up as "his heritage being expressed" ? I kind of think, given that a Turkish author is on trial for 'insulting Turkishness' by alluding to the attacks on the Armenians, that they would be up in arms about it.

In my Gym the manager is Armenian and the wife of the owner is Turkish. The history is VERY close to the surface I assure you, but it is repressed for the sake of civil social intercourse.

Many 'heritages' are not only incompatable with Australian values and culture, they are also that toward OTHER outside cultures and heritages.

DIVERSITY does NOT make for hamony,.... it makes for a TIME BOMB.

Those who are skilled in pushing the racial buttons, can stir up unimaginable problems

Step 1 Place a pigs head on a Mosque door and splatter blood everywhere.

Step 2 (same perpetraror) Burn a church

Step 3 More attacks against a mosque. (same perpetrator)

Step 4 More church attacks... (same again)
Step 5 Graffiti in Muslim areas "Death to Muslim pigs"
Step 6 Graffiti in Christian areas "Death to Christian pigs"

By this time, the members of the 2 communities are so annoyed they start doing it THEMSELVES, and this....is what has happened in Iraq.

Any ethnic history could be exploited in this way Serb/Croat Greek/Macedonian etc.

CountryGal

Its our country? Is it really. Our majority elected Govt. decides who and when people come to this country, and they damned well made sure we all knew about the illegal immigrants on the Tampa (even though it is perfectly legal to seek asylum in another country).

This whole issue is a beat up, Howard has increased immigration while pretending to do the opposite (got to get the One Nation voters back on side).

We already have standards, an English language test AND a provision in the Citizenship Act to deny citizenship if a person does not intend to reside in Australia permanently. If our govt is not enforcing the law surely they deserve to be booted out.

This has been extended lately (by loopy liberal backbenchers) to denying welfare to parents who let their kids wag school, making drug addicts pay for their medical expenses and interfering in school curricula to promote their patronising views. This is our government deliberately dividing our nation for their political survival.

You do not need to be an Australian Citizen to receive Centrelink assistance, you have to be a permanent resident. If you wish to deny reciprocal arrangements with other countries you are disadvantaging the many Australian Citizens who are resident overseas.

How many immigrants do you see? Would Griffith in NSW exist if not for Italian migrants? Would Sth Australia have a wine industry if not for immigrants? Would the MIA in the Riverina exist without migrants?

You seem to be saying that we should choose who comes here based on race. Racism is a belief in the moral or biological superiority of one race or ethnic group over another or others. The term racism is also sometimes used to refer to preference for one's own ethnic group, fear of difference, views or preferences against interbreeding of the races, regardless of any explicit belief in superiority or inferiority fact.

Sorry CountryGal even if you don’t realise it you are a racist and you are being played for a fool by John Howard.

Boazy – at least you are consistent :)