Indigenous / multicultural issues

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Indigenous issues in general

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• I acknowledge that much harm has been done to the indigenous peoples of Australia in the wake of European settlement and that it is right that significant efforts be made to reverse this negative impact.​​

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• I would note though that much of this harm was done before most of the current generations of non-indigenous people were born or had any influence over government policies.  I would also point out that, while the current generations of non-indigenous people may not have the same deep cultural connection to the Australian continent as do the indigenous peoples, most of us were also born on this land and thus have something of the same connection to it in the way that its environmental factors nurture us from our mother’s womb through to our childhood and all through our lives.  Many of us also share a great appreciation of our unique flora and fauna that may not be identical to the feelings of indigenous peoples but probably does have significant similarities.  I would hope that these commonalities would help bring us together in mutual affection and respect.​

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• In terms of government assistance to indigenous people and organisations I would suggest that it is appropriate to separate this into two main categories of social security and cultural heritage.  Social security assistance should be moving away from any inherently race-based criteria towards a needs based system common to all Australians while cultural heritage funding should recognise, value and help preserve the memory of ancient indigenous history and culture as a large part of the overall history of the place we all call home.

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Multicultural issues, immigration and refugees

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• Many people of similar background to me (growing up in a country town in the 70’s and 80’s with little contact with people from non-Anglo-Saxon heritage) would probably have some negative feelings on this topic as some city-based politicians of the time tended to “ram it down your throat” and “treat you like dirt” if you were not immediately “on board”.

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• I believe that some of the reason we felt some unease at the thought of multiculturalism is the very same reason that people from other cultures want to celebrate them and preserve their cultural heritage – that growing up in a particular culture gives you a sense of identity and security and any change from that can bring a sense of anxiety.

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• As to the current situation, I support people who want to make Australian their home while retaining much of the cultural heritage from which they come (if that excludes any kind of authoritarianism where it is believed that it is OK for people to be forced or deceived into, accepting some specific worldview).  I do believe though, that it is good for these people to also make significant attempts to engage with the prevailing culture as well and not isolate themselves from the wider community.  While such integration should not be mandated, it should be encouraged just as much as richness of cultural diversity is celebrated.

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• Regarding immigration, I support immigration of skilled workers who will quickly be able to settle into Australia and contribute to our economic well-being as long as it does not lead to any significant increase in unemployment in the general population.

 

• Regarding refugees and asylum seekers, I strongly support the right of people who are forced to leave their home country due to extreme hardship or persecution to seek refuge in Australia.  While we must also have laws that ensure our borders are not encroached upon in a haphazard manner and that requests for asylum can be “tested” before being granted, I would want this processing to be relatively quick and not requiring extended periods of detention.   I also believe that citizens, journalists, and NGOs must be free to observe the conditions provided for asylum seekers.  As in most areas, excessive government secrecy ought not to be tolerated by citizens – we are the “owners” of the business of government and have the right to inspect our own facilities.

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