This was tried by the apartheid state in South Africa.

It is not likely to get much support.

'This was tried by the apartheid state in South Africa.'

As bad as SA was under apartheid many of the coloured people know that they were better off than they are now

Thanks for the Australian Reality figures Col.

Let's see what Antonios makes of them. Probably he will be in denial, just as he was a few months ago when his whinge was that there were no non-Anglo street names in Adelaide and its suburbs. When referred to the UBD as proof against his claims, he disappeared to start another Anglo-bashing thread.

Although an immigrant myself, I get sick of new arrivals running down this land and its culture. At 69.88% Anglo-Celtic roots, no-one can seriously think that our culture is not based on Anglo-Celtic values.

Dear Antonios.....you said (yelled :)

DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I SAY TO YOU? THE NON ANGLO SAXON ARE HERE, IN, THEY ARE AUSTRALIAN CITIZENS, THEY HAVE POLITICAL POWER OF CAUSE THEIR VOTES.

The only political power people of different ethnic backgrounds should have.. is for non raced based POLICIES not for RACES..because 'that' would be racist..wouldn't it?

yes.. we very much understand you... clearly...

but I think you misunderstand us. still.

All we want is for people to see themselves as AUSTRALIANs first......that's all.

The problems come when people start coming to Australia and saying "I'm proud to be GREEEK" or.. name the ethnic group.

If people come here and want to stay something OTHER THAN 'Australian'....then they should go back to where every one else IS like that.

But here.. we are Aussies. We are not 'Greek'Aussies.. Chinese Aussies, Irish Aussies, English Aussies.. Lebanese Aussies..Italian Aussies...

We we ARE are 'people'...who happen to come from different backgrounds...but we come HERE.. to embrace being "Australian" first.

Anyone who differs in this can get OUT quick smart :)as far as I'm concerned.

Once we stop emphasizing our ETHNIC background.. and start emphasizing our PEOPLE/HUMAN background.. we will all join together as happy little vegemites :) intermarry and have a good country.

The new citizenship test will be: "eat one slice of damper, with vegemite on it..without chucking" Pass that..and ur home and hosed mate.
Oh..I forgot..the "English" test will be "G'day mate"... there you go...not so hard to be Aussie eh :)

I came across a small swag of human interest stories
in the Sun-Herald 27/01/08 - that might be of interest:

The first story:

"When he's in the line-up of Sydney's popular beaches, Haisam Farache is just another surfer waiting for a wave.

But once he's out of the water he swaps his wetsuit and surfboard for
a robe and turban and assumes the role of an imam at Australia's
largest mosque.

'For me it relates to how I am as an Australian and a Muslim,' he said. 'When I go to the beach I feel rejuvenated. I feel like a new person and whatever stresses I have in my life are being washed away with the waves.'

The 34-year old, who began suffering at 11, said his pastime intrigued his students at Lakemba Mosque. Most laughed, he said, when they discovered he was a surfer, and found it difficult to believe a religious leader had an interest outside of teaching Islam.

The Auburn-based lawyer said surfing was also an ice-breaker when he visited schools across the country as part of his work with the Together for Humanity Foundation.

He recalls visiting a school on the northern beaches where many students began calling him a terrorist. Once the children discovered he was a surfer, their opinion changed and they saw him as one of
'them,' he said.

The second story:

Told about nine of the 3300+ from 56 countries who pledged their
allegiance to the flag in ceremonies across NSW on Australia Day.

Figures from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship show 95% of the population are Australian citizens. However, there are more than 900,000 permanent residents who are eligible to become Australian citizens.

Of the 27,494 immigrants who arrived in NSW between January 1 and December 1 last year, one out of six was from China, making it one of the largest source of immigrants to the state.

Meanwhile India has overtaken Britain as our second-biggest source of new citizens, followed by the Philippines, Vietnam, South Korea, Lebanon and Indonesia.

Pakistanis and Iraqis are also among our fastest-growing migrant groups.

Ah poor ASymeonakis,

He`s been misunderstood. Let`s explain to these good people that in fact you really have a 'huge interest in Aboriginal people dont you.?

Tell them about the concerns you raised to the UN about the ATSIC funding.

Pls explain your deep interest in these people and compassion for them after John Howard stopped the way in which funds were handled.

If you tell them why you think he did that- I will then tell them why *I think he did it

After You ```````