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Multiculturalism is being Robbed

Uri Themal

Multiculturalism at its most fundamental is about equal rights and equal opportunities, to benefit from and to contribute to all aspects of life in Australia without prejudice and without discrimination.

The Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship, Andrew Robb, has come out recently with some vague and puzzling statements: He wants us to adopt “shared values,” have a “shared identity” and subscribe to a set of “core values”.

Regrettably he does not elaborate what these are, but seems to suggest that, whatever these are, they are part of a concept which replaces multiculturalism which he describes as being “separatist” and meant to be “overriding Australian culture.”

I am used to interpreting biblical statements, prophetic speeches and Talmudic discussions, but find it impossible to understand these offerings from Andrew Robb: I do not understand the reason or motivation behind them. Australian Multiculturalism as a policy has served us well for over 30 years, and, as the saying goes, if it ain’t broke why fix it?

I also do not understand the logic, meaning or content about these vague concepts of shared values or shared identity.

I can only assume that there is a yearning here for the old, failed policy of assimilation which was replaced by multiculturalism. If this is correct then we are being moved back by over 30 years to when the policy of assimilation started to be shelved as the last vestige of the white Australia policy.

In 1977 the then immigration Minister Michael McKellar had an advisory committee of which I was a member. It published a white paper “Multiculturalism for all Australians.” In my view the meaning of this title still stands. Multiculturalism is for all Australians – however long they have been here.

Multiculturalism at its most fundamental is about equal rights and equal opportunities, to benefit from and to contribute to all aspects of life in Australia without prejudice and without discrimination. Everyone can do so from the position of their cultural, religious or ethnic identity provided we as citizens or permanent residents accept these common principles: Loyalty and commitment to Australia as a nation which unites us, the rule of common law which binds us, the acceptance of parliamentary democracy which governs us, and English as the national language which supports us.

Beyond that it is perfectly legitimate and even desirable for people from different ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds to maintain identities and values which are specific to these needs. If channeled correctly they can be very beneficial to Australia. For example, why not use the fact that we speak about 200 foreign languages and dialects for trade and international relations? Why not utilize the networks migrants can develop in their countries of origin for business and cultural exchanges? Why not export Australian multiculturalism and especially the multi-faith models developed here and set up Australia as a leader and role model to demonstrate how the good management of diversity can produce peace and harmony.

Multiculturalism is well established as a policy and well defined. To replace it with these vague notions of shared values or shared identity requires a much more detailed explanation of what these are. That debate could be interesting, but until we get there, please don’t destroy multiculturalism which has served the nation so well, which has minimised conflict here and has helped create a relatively harmonious and cohesive nation.

Multiculturalism is not only for all Australians – its enhancement is in the national interest.