cont'd ...

BTW: I've discovered the corruption to which Abdul. J.,
referred to earlier. It was the "Cash for Visas," scandal
that happened in 2001 in which Philip Ruddock was
involved. Google it for yourself. Apparently Dante Tan
had his visa cancelled in September 2001, and he made a
donation of $10,000 at Philip Ruddock's campaign launch.
One month after the donation of $10,000 the cancellation
of Mr Tan's visa was re-instated. Six months later, Mr Tan
was granted Australian Citizenship. At the time Mr Tan
was the Philippines most wanted fugitive.

There were even more scandals regarding Mr Ruddock's
granting of visas. As I said - simply Google the subject.
The websites are there.

Re: << My statement about Australia being a dull, self-satisfied and joylessly confromist country was in reference to -what Australia was in the 1950/60s. >>

It’s amazing that those who seem to exhibit a reverence for multiculturally endorsed cultures . Are so quick to devalue the OZ culture/experience.

Speaking with those who grew-up during the 1950/60s . It it’s apparent that while many found life tough at times, it was full diverse of interests and activities.

The fact that some saw such times as “dull” might well have more to do with the circles they moved in --or perhaps, the barrow they are constantly pushing

The richness that many see today has more to do with technology than any cultural mix/enrichment --- in fact, if the western world had not been so distracted –and hamstrung – by cultural games, technological progress might have made us all a lot healthier , happier and better informed.

Re << I've discovered the corruption to which Abdul. J.,referred to earlier. It was the "Cash for Visas," scandal that happened in 2001 in which Philip Ruddock…>>
BUT ,how many were convicted in a court of law (as opposed to convicted by rumour and innuendo) ?

“Australian Federal Police have cleared Attorney-General Philip Ruddock of allegations that he was influenced by donations when granting visas”
http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/03/31/1080544556304.html

Dear SPQR,

A few historical facts for your information:

1) Until the early 1970s, assimilation and the
preservation of "White Australia," continued as the
Australian Government's official policies.

2) Migrants of every ethnic origin were expected to
assimilate promptly into a monocultural mould of
Australian identity, based on the Anglo-Saxon and
Celtic culture.

3) The ideal immigrant was the one who assimilated easily,
one who became more similar to the host population as a
result of social interaction and through the shedding
of all attributes of their culture.

In the meantime, the postwar diversification in Australian
immigrants' backgrounds continued and this was becoming
more and more evident in all walks of life. The new face
of Australia was in existence, long before the politicians
and civic leaders were prepared to admit it. The very
presence of foreign languages and foreign language press
in Australia mirrored the nation's growing cultural diversity.

Yet, antipathy was not lacking. Migrants were not always
treated as equals. However, several other factors combined to
erode, and finally eliminate in 1966, the White Australia and
Government-promoted assimilation policies. The contributing
factors included generally changing social attitudes, war
service, travel, foreign students in Australia, discrimination
in registering British subjects after 1948, and the confusion
in the 1950s over the control of non-Europeans' entry.

The revised immigration policy allowed new people to come
and settle in Australia: people from a wide range of nationalities,
races, religions, and cultures. By the end of the 1970s,
Australia had acquired an unmistakably new heterogeneous face.

The official Government policies reflected these social
developments. They moved from "assimilation," to
"integration," and then, to "multicultrualism." The
Galbally Report (1978) was the turning point, when it
urged the Australian Government "to encourage...the
retention of the cultural heritage of different ethnic
groups and promote intercultural understanding." Since
then, the Australian Government has
re-defined "multiculturalism"
several times. One simplified definition states,
"Multiculturalism...involves living together with an
awareness of cultural diversity."

And at present Australia is one of the most ethnically
diverse societies in the world.

cont'd ...

Dear SPQR,

There's more to the story regarding Mr Ruddock.

1)The Senate inquiry into Mr Ruddock's ministerial
indiscretions under the Immigration Act has
cleared him - Grudgingly - according to a Law
website had you bothered to check.

2) The Committee accused Mr Ruddock of obstruction
and called for urgent reforms.

3) The Committee demanded reform of the Ministerial
Discretion System. Lack of transparency and
accountability made it vulnerable to corruption,
the majority report said.

4) The big reason that the Committee had to clear
Mr Ruddock was because the Immigration Department
was being obstructive.

5) "The Committee was denied access to relevant Departmental
files and Officer's notes that could have cleared the
Attorney-General of any wrongdoing..."

6)"This was clearly done deliberately by the Government to
protect Mr Ruddock from further scrutiny."

This scandal was reported on Lateline, ABC, SBS,
Sydney Morning Herald, and other sources.
Do your research for the full story. There's
quite a bit of in-depth coverage. Finding a person
innocent does not make them so. It simply means
they were not allowed to have access to the evidence
in this particular case. The law is the law - that's
why justice wears a blindfold.

Lexi,
You are certainly entitled to your opinion as I am.

I grew up in that era, in a large country town, and we found it quite exciting. The war had been over for a long time and it was a prosperous time. There were plenty of local popular artists and groups puting out songs and regular dances were held. 10.00 o'clock closing came in. We thought it nothing to pool money for petrol and drive to the coast or Sydney to attend big shows. We had access to European and Chinese cusine. There was plenty happening on the refined cultural front as well. The Opera House was completed and I think Melbourne hosted the Olympics in 1956. Not to mention the Snowy Scheme and millions of migrants that integrated into our society. Like today we had footy, cricket, golf and surfing. Wool prices were booming and industry was doing well. People could actually buy a block of land, build a garage and live in that whilst building their house, and thousands did just that.

Hardly a dull era. That argument is a furphy, put out by multiculturalists who ignore the baggage that some cultures bring to our shores. Much to our detriment

I am certainly not happy with the drug culture that came with MC, nor the alien beliefs and practices of some cultures. In my view, we should stop the importation of people of some cultures that cannot or will not integrate and become part of our society. Some have been here 2-3 generations and still refer to themselves as Lebs.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/man-accused-of-sending-hate-mail-to-soldiers-families-appeals-20110823-1j8lj.html
I should back out of the thread while the kind words are being thrown at me.
Call the Gentleman the link is about what he is, holder of a minority view.
I should loudly, clearly, warn he is but one.
I should refrain from saying I fear not the races that are Muslim.
Not the religion .
I fear, in my understanding,sections of this religion, has followers anchored in the middle ages, a place man has left far behind.
Ah nasty Belly, you open wounds, let infection in,but no.
I actually invite racists not to reply, from both sides.
But if we ignore the very real damage a few can do,we blind our selves.
I think my country should reject people like this man, in my view he and those like him are unwanted.
And as ugly as the KKK.