Suprise, suprise. Another non-Western minority group representative promoting ethnic separatism. Another minority representative thumbing their nose at the notion of common culture and shared national identity. The Western, European-derived culture of mainstream Australia is simply dismissed by the author as "some vague, homogenous set of values that are derived from simply living in the same place."

Well Mr. Jieh-Yung Lo, your article has merely provided yet another reason why multiculturalism needs to be completely expunged before this inherently divisive idealogy completely mutates this nation into a mere co-habitating space for disconnected ethnic tribes.

Speaking of the Chinese, their record of supressing minorities and enforcing cultural conformity in mainland China speaks for its self. Moreover, BOAZ is correct in pointing out that ethnic Chinese minorities outside of China have an unpromising record in terms of integration. Their record in Australia has been only slightly less dismal.

The author is of this nauseatingly insipid article peddles the oft-repeated fallacy that Australia has always been a multi-cultural nation. For goodness sake, learn to distinguish between multi-ethnic and multi-cultural. Australia has always been multi-ethnic, but the pernicious idealogy of multiculturalism has only been rammed down the throats of Australians within the last few decades. Not that many of these new migrant groups have much understanding of or respect for Australian history.

CJMorgan, I think you will find that my target was ethnic groups, not their staff. If you could comment on the role of active, staffed ethnic groups and their effects on Australian society I would be greatly interested.

Yvonne, you wrote ‘See, that's deeply offensive and hurtful to you now’. I cannot see anything you said that was deeply offensive and hurtful.
I am merely suggesting that the ethnic councils/groups should show more consideration to those who have come before and built the platform to which they moved.
At least they could show more consideration than that shown by the author of this article.

Am not surprized to see this article as the author has a vested interest. He/or she is part of the multicultural industry and would loose the position now held as MC has been dumped by both major political parties.

MC is an ideology that would not and could not work. It has been proped up by millions of taxpayers dollars, federal and state, for about 35 years. "Unity in diversity" has to be the biggest con ever.

If the multiculturalists want to blame someone for the demise of MC, they should look no further than the Leb Muslims who put themselves above or apart from every other culture, and want special consideration from all others. The Croats and Serbs did not help either, by fighting each other.

There may well be some similar articles appear as some of the hardliners try to hang onto their positions.

I look forward to the burial of MC.

TRTL, if I was a non-Muslim immigrant, I would be offended by your comparison of their teething problems with those of the Muslims. Over and over, people like yourself scoff and sigh and wave your Yoda finger and dismiss the Muslim problem as petty little squabbles between new acquaintances that are repeated endlessly throughout history. Cue the Queen of Denmark:

"And when we are tolerant, we must know whether it is because of convenience or conviction."

Convenient in what form for you, I wonder?

The real message JY is sending through his article is a rallying call to all the minorities to band together and resist the dominant culture. JY is sounding like a Mirko protege by describing Australia as "set of values that are derived from simply living in the same place". But I warn JY not to hitch his wagon to Mirko's vacuous notion that "there is no scope for deriving pride from nationality". An alliance of ethnic minorities and left-wing globalists will gladly attack the host and tear it down. But the problem is what will they replace it with?

If y'all succeed in tearing down nationhood and national values, then I see only one dominant culture to surface out of the resulting vacuum - Islam. Defining yourself by "what you are not" is all fine and dandy whilst you're tearing down the dominant culture, but only if you have something to replace it with. Who will win the battle after the aussie culture is gone? Will Mirko be right and the world will "define themselves by their common humanity"? Nah, too vague and weak for the masses. That leaves the inevitable battle between ethnic groups. And if your one binding mantra is "tolerance", then my money would then be on the Muslims.

JY and Mirko would be wise to band with the host and resolve the growing Muslim/Leb/Arab problem whilst it is small - otherwise we'll all be conquered by their bellies.

Frank... yes we are making progress, but it would be enhanced by avoiding 'name calling' :) believe it or not, you have actually added to an extensive list I thought was exhausted. "weasel" is a new one.

ANALYSIS is probably required before making any more sweeping statements about whether ethnic organizations are 'racist' or merely ethnocentric. My major problem with "ethnic" associations is this. Why do they need to exist ? Is the government so closed minded to what is going on that they need specifically ethnic lobby groups ?
Possibly. But is it not preferrable for people with issues re the government policy to take them to their local member who will then take it to Parliament? Personally I think so. Given that an evenue for addressing the concerns of citizens exists, it raises questions about what ethnic associations are really for ?

If its to do with Migration, changing laws and policy, then I have worries. If they tried for example to loosen up immig policy regarding polygamous or child marriages, I'd be on their doorstep the next day !

So, "ethnic" associations (and this includes my religous mob (as in 'Christian') such as the "Evangelical CHINESE Church" in Box Hill South) whereas the Bible says

[26You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.]

I would like this same principle to apply to our own self awareness in cultural/citizenship terms. We are 'Australians' first and 'ethnic' this or that second.

Yvonne,
I don't fear capitalism as much as I hate the idea of it being unrestrained, just as I hate the idea of unrestrained socialism.
I'm a middle of the road bloke. The one thing worse than either of those extremes, is when it is connected with particular ethnic groups who use either of them for political advantage.

Multiculturalism is wrong. All this rubbish has given Australia, is a bunch of different races and nationalities who compete to be the top dog, leaving us with racial hatred. I have worked amongst many Asian's and what I learnt is just how much they hate each other. Even more, hate the white Australian.

It is common for Asian storekeepers to refuse service to a white Australian in Sydney. Is this what multiculturalism is all about? I say yes, it is. We are seeing those, especially the particular Islamic lot who want all of us to live by Sharia Law, effectively abolising Aboriginal culture. I can see why Aboriginals were standing beside the white Australian at Cronulla beach.

I do not advocate the White Australia policy but that of intergration. If Howard were serious, he would test every single person of immigrant status backwards of 3 generations. Should they fail the ability to speak English, instant deportation and all assets taken by the government.

Multiculturalism is nothing but a racial wedge. Having to hear immigrants say we have no culture, having schools ban our national anthem, etc...is reason enough to put an end to this farcical and divisive policy.