Parliament should reject a tougher citizenship test
The inclusiveness of our approach to citizenship has been sustained through massive changes in the racial and cultural composition of our migrant intake. We have sometimes felt anxious about the speed and magnitude of this change. But Australia has held fast and not compromised its belief in inclusiveness. And we have been vindicated by history. The society we have produced is not perfect. It is, however, a society which is arguably the most successful, unified and harmonious multicultural nation in the world. Nonetheless, in 2007, the Parliament will be asked to reverse the historic direction of inclusiveness, and Government and Opposition seem inclined to do so.
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The government ’statistics’ on its public consultation on this issue are weaselly and not to be trusted. The government’s thinking behind this change is flawed - to increase the inclusion of migrants as citizens will tend to reduce frictions. To reduce their full participation in our society can only increase friction.
What I don’t understand is, how was migration and multiculturalism in one or another form so successful and popular from the late 1940s until about ten years’ ago? Is it just a coincident that our views have become increasingly small-minded and racist during Howard’s tenure as PM?
Petro Georgiou, good on you. Please continue to courageously and intelligently argue for decisions that are compassionate and practical, rather than politically expedient ones that appeal to people’s lower nature.