Many people regard New Zealanders as part of 'ourselves' , ANZACS, neighbours. Perhaps some are but attitudes like yours point out the differences that exist.
Why do you stay here then? To critisise?To show your superiority?
Why not hop back on your little boat and head for pastures greener?
We will cheerfully wave you adieu.

Sweeeet

I said on another post – we are talking about todays world and we are not talking about what was.

Meg had the singular fortune to be a New Zealander. As a migrant who arrived here back in the 1980’s from the UK I can assure Meg, being born white, middle-class and non-religious does not mean that I was able to circumvent the skills demand test, medical checks or suitability interview, for which I had to wait in line for over a year.

I guess, what this proves is if Australians are to be seen to be applying an even handed policy of "level playing field", we should get appropriately “level” with New Zealanders who, it would appear simply rock up as boat crew or as any other form of flotsom or jetsom (mmm spelling?). Migrant qualification and standards should be applied with equal rigour for anyone from anywhere in the world.

Meg, if testing your migration application against the same criteria as everyone else, would result in your application being denied – the only "Ethical" thing for you to do is to return from whence you came.

In the mean time, you can rest assured, John Howard was right when he said “WE will decide who comes to this country and the circumstances in which they come.” the Prime Minister does speak for me and is thus, fully entitled to use the collective “WE”.

Ms Mundell highlights a fact that racism does exist in this country as i'm sure it does in New Zealand also. Even when it is of the "mild" type that she describes, the derogatory stereotyping remarks uttered amongst friends, it is still distasteful, but is it really as wide spread as she believes or is it just the people she chooses to acquaint with?

And regarding the governments policy on immigration and such matters, i agree it is dismal, but is it really due to a prevailing racist, xenophobic attitude inherent in the government as Ms Mundell seems to imply, or is it rather that the government is trying to preserve a way of life for its existing citizens and is erring on the side of "over-protection"?

I enjoyed Meg's article, and have always enjoyed Meg's writing, her open-mindedness, her genuine compassion, and her desire to speak up for those who have little opportunity to voice their experiences through our media.

I respect the right of all those who post here to express their opinions, and I have been part of many productive discussions on Online Opinion's forum pages. However, it is inconsistent for those posters to suggest that if a writer such as Meg Mundell disagrees with something that happens in Australia, she should leave.

If I understand what previous posters have said, their defence of Australia is based on their belief that Australia is a good country, with plenty of opportunities. And if Australia is great, then democracy is part of what makes it so.

To suggest dissenting views should be eradicated by telling those holding those views to 'go home' doesn't sit well with Australian values, as stated on the 'Australian values and principles' page of the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs website:

"Allowing dissenting views encourages a healthy and strong democracy."

These forums provide excellent opportunities for people of many varying beliefs to come together and learn from each other, understanding that people of different opinions can get together and discuss things, with civility, dignity and respect for each others' experiences and beliefs.

Although I came here some 30 years ago, from The Netherlands, and became an Australian citizen in 1988, following the anti-terror laws, I increasingly feel less welcome here. Although I married an Australian, and our three children are born here, my citizenship papers may be cancelled and deported if the government decides that I'm a 'security risk'. I do not support the occupation of Iraq. As in France and Palestine, people who are oppressed and alienated may do bad things, and likewise their supporters. But is this not because good people allow the government to do bad things. We never had a referendum about Iraq. When did we declare war on the Iraqi people? We all have blood on our hands - we, as Australians, are directly involved in killing innocent Iraqi civilians. Recently I visited Asia and was repeatedly asked "why is Australia occupying Iraq?" I'm not a Muslim, and as has been shown elsewhere, opposition can come 'from native born' Australians as well as from overseas. The reputation of Australians, for social justice and mateship has declined . . . I am an Australian by choice, but now I begin to regret having made that choice . ..