What kind of society do you want to see in this country?

Back in 1982 Ruxton (RSL - President) said and I quote," It's quite obvious that Australia must take in more immigrants. But one of the problems is that a lot of Australians are frightened of losing their identity as a race. It hasn't done Great Britain any good. It has been somewhat disastrous. I believe that Australia should remain predominantly European. Over the years, the European content is going to be watered down so much that it just doesn't exist."

Dr Frank Knopfelmacher,of Melbourne University, who has been a prolific critic of 'multiculturalism' in Australia said, "...We are taking in more Asians that the population will accept... But while I'm in favour of immigrants from all parts of the world. I'm also very strongly in favour of assimilation of migrants to the Anglo character of Australia in two to three generations... The alternatives are separatism, apartheid and turbulent ghettos..."

Considering the recent wave of violent attacks by black youths - what are we doing wrong?

Any thoughts?

you aren't doing anything wrong, foxy. but you don't make decisions for oz. you're a forelock tugger, not a squire.

i often wonder why ozzies bother to have an opinion, since they can't do anything about it. but of course, most don't.

Um, what recent wave of violence by black youths? If you are talking about the Sudanese, the whole idea that there was a "wave of violence" was politically motivated and deemed false by the Victorian Police Commissioner. There was no wave. The most prominent case – the case that sparked the Sudanese "crisis" – was when a Sudanese teenager was murdered.

By a couple of white kids.

In answer to your question, I'd like to see a great spread of different nationalities. Australia is a great and free society, and it's strength is in it's capacity to build loyalty. Multiculturalism can be difficult – it is risky, and it is for the brave. But we're all the children of immigrants, or we are immigrants ourselves, so we've all got the seeds of bravery within us.

I am a great fan of the UK's chief rabbi, Jonathan Sachs, who believes that we should not import the intolerances and prejudices of other countries when we take their immigrants. Instead, we should export tolerance and diversity and proof that different cultures can live together. We don't want pockets of different diasporas, we want a strong, cohesive Australia.

Dear Botheration,

The incident that I'm referring to - took place in Melbourne, where 17 to 18 year old black youths attacked a man who had visited his son at the Children's Hospital. These youths bashed the man after taking his mobile phone. It appears that the youths were from the Housing Commission flats just down the road from the hospital.

The incident was on the news here in Melbourne. But perhaps you're correct - perhaps we're not told the entire story. There was talk that the parents of the youths - were complaining about police discrimination.

Nov 13th..

http://moonee.yourguide.com.au/news/local/general/fifty-youths-attack-police-outside-party/1085609.html

African Muslim 'community leader' says:

"What needs to be done is we need to resource programs attractive to the young boys in the evening."

Somali community leader, Flemington-based Osman Abdurahman, blamed Moonee Valley Council for co-organising an event that brought together young African-Australians from both sexes, which he claimed went against the Muslim faith.

"It's not our religion and it's not in our culture. I am putting all the responsibility on the council."

WHO THE HECK ARE YOU MATE... ? here...is the deal. AUSTRALIA has a culture.. IF YOU come here.. you respect it...not the other way around.
If OUR culture, (the host) has certain values about open social intercourse between genders.. you have 2 choices. ACCEPT IT.. or.. GET OUT.

This person wants US to adjust OUR culture to fit with HIS... now if anyone needed convincing that all our our predictions of such attitude are well founded, they have it in the above, but wait..theres MORE...

Nov 29th.. "Yesterday"

http://au.news.yahoo.com/071128/2/153v7.html

100 (apparently muslim) youths attack police in flemington.
15 police vans attended. When arresting one youth who allegedly threw a rock at police, another youth took off his shirt and attacked police. It grew from that to the large crowd who tried to free the arrested youth.

ECHO'S OF PARIS BURNING?

I'll say it again .. "I told you so" and also, I'll repeat the warning, "Diversity breeds intolerance, ghetto mentality and 'us/them'.. which leads to violence and intercommunity breakdown.

The facts are staring all of us in the face.

Hi Foxy, ok, I read the report and you're right – those incidents sound horrendous. But I could also argue there's been a recent wave of violence by, well, "Aussies". See http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/11/18/2093925.htm?section=justin and http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/teens-charged-over-bashing-murder/2007/11/26/1195975905555.html and http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22828618-2862,00.html Frankly, when the perpetrators are black, everyone notices. White crime – the everyday variety – well, we're used to that.

Yes, there is violence in the Sudanese community. But I don't buy that we're at some crisis point. Australia is a relatively stable and peaceful country, in large part because multiculturalism has been so successful.

PS It appears there's two sides to the "100 youths" story: http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/police-chokeslammed-me-says-boy/2007/11/29/1196037039647.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap2