Foxy,
We may be a "gathering of many cultures" But I can assure you there are many individuals here in Australia that did not fight a number of wars to have these "many cultures" come here and try to take whatever culture we have away especially through the insinuation of their minority cultures and seasoned with the inherent violence of their countries.
Nobody asked the average Australian. Nobody asked me if we wanted it.

Belly, I re read your original post. have I lost something in the translation?
"in fact if we open our minds this thread started as a way to combat racism in our country."
I certainly agreed with the general comments of Race Discrimination Commissioner Tim Soutphommasane. I do however feel he was premature in branding this particular incident as a case of racial vilification before he had become fully acquainted with all the facts of the matter Mr Soutphommasane used the incident as a timely opportunity to push his message, but it also gave the red-necked ratbags an opportunity to peddle their own agenda of hate.
There was those who used the incident to do some racial bashing of minorities. Launching racial attacks on "Islanders" using the alleged actions of a few to unjustly stigmatise all within that community. Belly you seized upon an incident you had concerning a Tongan, when I asked how many Tongans you actually had interacted with you did not reply.
Foxy I whole heartily agree with your comments. ".... Lets concentrate on what unites us, not on our divisions."
I make no apology for my critique on racial vilification with its confronting comparison with Hitler, and how some, be it on a much smaller scale, act in the same way on race as the Nazi's did with the Jews.

Dear Chris,

Those who break our laws (no matter who they are)
should of course be held accountable. However deciding
ahead of time who can come to this country based only
on what they may or may not do is not logical. It does
not account for individual differences within each of
the various groups, and predicting someone's behaviour
is a risky business at the best of times. You claim that
you weren't consulted on immigration policies - none of us
ever are, we elect representatives who we think will
represent our views, and we certainly can make our feelings
known to our MPs. If it makes you feel any better - you should
perhaps do just that, if you feel so strongly about things.

Paul,

"I make no apology for my critique on racial vilification with its confronting comparison with Hitler, and how some, be it on a much smaller scale, act in the same way on race as the Nazi's did with the Jews."

Glad that you agree that the actions of the Greens (not all of them) were wrong in boycotting Jewish businesses in Marrickville.

cont'd ...

I'm not aware of any major group of people who
have tried to take anything away from any of us
in this country. The majority of immigrants have
worked hard and have contributed immensely. It's
only a small minority that have made newspaper
headlines - and they've come from a variety of
cultures and continents - including New Zealand,
and Britain. Recent violent acts that have been
perpetrated against both the young and the old
have been done by young alcohol-driven thugs.
Locals, born and bred here. Glassing is a crime that
has gained popularity recently amongst the young.
"Schoolies Week" in both Queensland and along the
coastal towns such as Byron Bay - are simply dreaded
by the local population due to the damage that these
kids inflict. In recent times - the police numbers
have been increased to deal with the situation.
Sad state of affairs.

Is Mise, during the last state election campaign our candidate for the seat of Heffron (it boarders the seat of Marrickville) was racially vilified outside Erskineville railway station, by what I can only assume were 2 Jewish gentlemen. Naturally our candidate tried to reason with the gentlemen in a calm and considerate manner over the very issue you raise. The pair were not having a bar of it and through their yelling one could gather their racial and sexist slurs about our candidate being a Muslim woman. I know this happened as I was there, in my usual non confrontationist style, I told the good gentlemen to "F OFF", our candidate would never do that. With that they grabbed our flyers from the table and throw them in the air, then took off. We take that as part and parcel of politics and don't give it a second thought. We always have at least one other person with our candidate when campaigning for safety, not only are the ratbags and rednecks on this forum, they are out there as well. Politics can become heated at times in inner Sydney, its not leafy Turramurra as they say.
PS, Is Mise, were you in Ersko' outside the railway station one Saturday morning a couple of years back? Nah, these guys were in their 30's, too young to be you.