Jewely
I observed similar when I was in New Zealand, that the Maori culture was very much part of the fabric of NZ life. Even municipal buildings had Maori language as well as English name plaques featured. I thought this was wonderful and it is a shame we don't include more of Australia's indigenous culture within its daily life. The difference is, I guess, that Aboriginal Australians number very few compared to total population.

NZ and Australia are both inclusive in their immigration policies. To answer Banjo's question, I think the only way to protect the civil liberties and freedoms we enjoy here is to enshrine those values in law - which is what we have pretty much done.

Religious freedoms should mean religious freedom as long as the various religious groups adhere to the law within a democracy. I cannot see a problem. It is also vital that Australian immigration officials ensure that those wishing to come here do understand Australian law and what it might mean for some.

I think some of the intolerance we see in Australia is borne of inexperience, as Jewely said we are a very young country predominantly influenced by Anglo-Irish culture but with immigration we can see many more positive influences.

Perhaps it is about taking the best of what all cultures have to offer. Multiculturalism certainly does dilute culture but is that a bad thing? I must admit to a sense of loss when I have travelled and seen how American culture has influenced many in Asia and Europe but maybe in the long run we will be better off when we are less 'different' so maybe some dilution is necessary to bring us all together.

I am thinking a bit out loud here and mulling over ideas. Certainly there are many things to think about including what values we think important.

Culture is just another means by which people create their identity.
Cultures comprises of sub cultures. An example of this is the footy sub-culture. There are many variations on a theme or sub/sub-cultures i.e. Collingwood V Melbourne supporters and the level of the individual's identification with either team determines their one-eyedness (chauvinism, the real meaning).
It's a means of both self-identity and belonging to a larger group.

The same could be said for rusted on Labor supporters and limpid Liberal supporters.(or Loony left V Recalcitrant Right etc. Both extremes)
Each subculture has its own rules and Dogma.. One could say that gender perspectives are sub cultures albeit consequential.

The next step of analysis is then defining the 'unique' and 'universally' (every or even one has it) features of a culture/nationalism. Clearly meaningless generalities (one size fits no one) because they are so superficial/trivial. What is important is the COMBINATIONS of attributes and which aren't linear.

People are comprised of an amalgam of these of sub cultures under a Uber Culture(s) i.e. Nationality. This therefore explains why defining a national culture objectively is so difficult.

In this concept 'nationalism is the last resort of scoundrels.' as mechanism on which many build selfish power structures.

What bothers me is this talk that implies MY combination is better than anyone else's.
People are people who/where ever they basically and want similar things.

Tragically in conflict situations like 'debates' on sites like OLO participants tend to follow the line of abject chauvinism to various cultural/sub-cultural dogma to the exclusion of reason and objectivity. This in turn tends to result in 'so the absence of my extreme automatically means the other (extreme)'arguments. Neither side wins and the big loser are EVERYONE.

The corollaries this explain the irrational nature of gender/political/religious debates. The more 'dogmatic' tend to see objective analysis as critical of their sub cultural dogma and therefore of their personal identity. Discrimination is therefore denial of individual's identity (meaning)

Jewely,
Sorry I incorrectly said you asked about screening of immigrants. Looking back, it was Pelican and Fractelle that questioned that aspect. I think you are taking a rather shallow view of our cukture and I cannot say more than what Fractelle said, without going into much detail. But you will see that our system of Governance, justice and democracy/freedom is based on the British system, as is NZ. while that is not perfect by any means, it is far better than what others have in many countries.

Fractelle,
There are only a few groups that I would place on a list to refuse visas to, and that is not on a specific country or religious/cultural basis.

First up would be those groups that carry out FGM on little girls here. I cannot think of a worse cultural practice and no Aussie girl should endure that. There are only a few of these groups and the health and welfare authorities know who they are. Education has failed to stop this practice.

Next would be those group/s that practice forced marriages. Arranged marriages, with consent, is one thing but forced marriages is not acceptable.

Croats and Serbs have a history of violent clashes and that type of hatred is unacceptable.

Lebanese muslims do not get on with any other groups as far as i can see, not even other muslims and because of their anti-social behaviour and contempt for our laws and society.

The are some groups that continually carry on with holding cockfights in defiance of our laws.

There may be other groups that could make the list, but that will do for starters.

There are also some groups that could bear watching regarding their actions, the Tamils for example, by their recent day of violence. I have heard reports of groups in Melbourne that may well be responsible for racial violence but do not have anything confirmed.

Fractelle

“We can't just suddenly turn our backs on the world while ‘cleaning up our own back yard’.”

Of course we can’t. You seem to think that I’ve said that we can. Perhaps you have misinterpreted my last post.

“For example, we can aim for ‘replacement intake’ as someone suggested previously (sorry can't remember who).”

Um, yeayus… that’d be me, repeated about 2 million times so far on this forum…like a broken record, as some kind poster said recently! ( :> |

" ‘Imagine if the BB had been put into education instead of babies. Sigh."

Sigh indeed! I’ll repeat something else that I’ve said half a zillion times before – the baby bonus has got to be the most deplorable policy in the history of Australian politics!!

My wrap-up:

Australia has a CULTURE. Yes we do! One of live and let live, fair go for all, and it's a pretty good one to be living in - if you value personal freedom, prosperity, general peace and safety. Not perfect, but if you've experienced other cultures where peace, prosperity and tolerance aren't such a part of the landscape, you understand why most Aussies still call Australia HOME.

If you come to live here for whatever reason as a potential citizen, it behoves you to adopt these values. If that is not to your liking, clashes with the 'culture' or whatever you bring with you - then @#$% off back to wherever you came from.

Australia has LAWS. Not all perfect, in fact some are pretty stupid. Nevertheless if you come here it behoves you to understand our laws and abide by them. If your traditions, religious beliefs, cultural practices, whatever, take precedence over Australian law - then @#$% off back to wherever you came from or find another place that will tolerate your crap.

If an Australian travels to/takes up residence in another country - these are terms and conditions that we must accept. Why should we demand anything less from visitors or migrants?

I know nothing about screening processes for migration -nor 'induction' processes if any exist. I believe that all wannabe residents need very clear instruction before they arrive on what is expected of them. They should be clearly advised of any potential cultural practices from their country that may contravene our laws and that these will not be tolerated in Australia. Penalty - deportation. They should be given insight into Australian lifestyle and except in emergency humanitarian cases, english language education to basic level.

If Australian authorities became very vigilant and closely monitored behaviour of new migrants - say for 5 years during which time they may be required to live or work under certain directions and undergo compulsory education and training, and summarily withdrew residency rights for those committing offences or refusing terms and conditions - there would be little screening required. Problem solved!

“I think you are taking a rather shallow view of our culture and I cannot say more than what Fractelle said, without going into much detail. …and democracy/freedom is based on the British system, as is NZ. while that is not perfect by any means, it is far better than what others have in many countries. ”

Hey Banjo, You are right, all I know is from three years of local teens, DoCS, TV and online. Oh and at 21 I was living and working on a farm in Tenterfield for 6 months.

I think what I am trying to say keeps going sideways. I am not saying whether it is good or bad, worse or better. Just that Australia does not seem to have a firm culture. A collective set of beliefs, purposes, a connection. I don’t think it is the short heritage; I’m not quite sure what it is. I do think a connection to your land is needed and I think in NZ the Pakehas managed to get that from the Maoris.

Fractelle does this make sense to you? Oz being a harsher land with some really nasty bugs and animals, would this keep everyone more separate from a combined connection to something as a people?

“What bothers me is this talk that implies MY combination is better than anyone else's.People are people who/where ever they basically and want similar things.“

Examinator didn’t you just explain about sub-cultures? So any talk of “MY” would come from that? We have to like our own things or we’d go mental yeah? Do they want similar or is a want a choice made because of where you come from and what belief systems are in place around you? The ethics or morals you are taught within your sub-culture?

“Multiculturalism certainly does dilute culture but is that a bad thing? …but maybe in the long run we will be better off when we are less 'different' so maybe some dilution is necessary to bring us all together.”

This makes sense, think out loud lots Pelican. It will take awhile though. 350.