Letters
Sydney Morning Herald
Friday February 18, 2011
Multicultural ambition comes up against realityChris Bowen stigmatises legitimate debate about multiculturalism by labelling dissent "fashionable" ("What makes multiculturalism great is mutual respect", February 17). It is a facile evasion for him to argue that the Australian model is different to the European experience. On the contrary, nearly all criticism relates to the tension between values in multicultural communities.Bowen might argue that migrants come precisely because of the values and freedoms we enjoy. This is a bold claim, because it tells only half the story. We are not talking about political refugees in this debate; most migrants seek greater prosperity.But it does not follow that most migrants accept that the cultural values of their hosts should prevail. Nor does Bowen appear to believe they should.By identifying only the rule of law and individual freedom as inviolate "values", he fails to consider the degree to which the denial of other values of the parent culture undermines social cohesion.Despite his obvious goodwill, Bowen is not doing justice to real concerns and reservationsabout the viability of "multiculturalism".Vicki Sanderson CremorneWhat troubles me with any evaluation of multiculturalism is the failure of government and sections of the media to acknowledge an unwelcome aspect that has crept into our immigration debate, which I would label "rejectionism". For many years migrants, whether from Europe, Hong Kong or Indochina, brought culturally enriching elements that they continued to pursue, while acknowledging the overarching concept of an Australian lifestyle, difficult though that may be to define.Recently it has become frustratingly common to see outpourings of a rejection of Australian cultural norms by those who wish to impose their own restrictive and alien standards on the society that has taken them in.The recent Melbourne terrorism trials show the reality of this threat. A misplaced sense of political correctness combined with a policy of turning a blind eye to these cultural challenges, and a bleating of the inaccurate charge of "racist" at anyone who dares to raise their concern, does little to promote cohesion. Multiculturalism serves us well as long as those who seek to join our society wish to contribute to it, as so many have done, and not undermine its fundamentals.Stephen Dixon EngadineThe evolution of the theology of multiculturalism in Australia has meant an unquestioning acceptance that it is an inherently virtuous philosophy. To the disbelievers among us this has always been patently absurd. The success of the immigration program has been built upon the willingness of the vast bulk of immigrants to integrate - more specifically, to get a job and obey the law.No amount of government-subsidised, self-flagellating propaganda about the racist nature of Australians can change the reality that multiculturalism does not work, when our day-to-day encounters with some immigrants confirm the lie of the multicultural utopia.David Brooks Castle HillTo keep the dream of multiculturalism alive and well, Chris Bowen needs to transport grieving relatives from Christmas Island to Sydney for much less than $14,285 a person. Australians aren't hard hearted, we just hate governments who waste precious resources.Steve Atkins DarlingtonRefugee policy is their funeralThere has been plenty of criticism in the letters page about Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison being too concerned about costs and not about people. But if the Labor Party had not dismantled the Coalition's successful border policies, there would be no need to pay for relatives to attend funeral services for asylum seekers who drown at sea, and young Sinan might still have a family. The deaths of these people were caused by weakness, not a lack of compassion.Mitchell Beston Woy WoySo Scott Morrison thinks his "timing was insensitive", and Tony Abbott supports him ("Morrison sees votes in anti-Muslim strategy", February 17)? How long after a funeral do they think it is OK to express crass and inhumane opinions?Suzan Burton RhodesThe culture of the political apology is intellectually bankrupt. We are now expected to believe that since Scott Morrison apologised, he actually means it. His apology was a simple political reflex found in the Politics 101 manual - dog-whistle to raise an offensive issue that you think you can wedge the opposition with, then look statesmanlike, contrite and thoughtful as you deliver your meaningless apology. The bile is rising.Anthony Inatey BathurstOf course families should attend funerals of loved ones. But why bring victims of people smugglers to Sydney? They should have been buried on Christmas Island and that is why people are complaining.Beverley Howells St IvesMore than one way to share profitsI am sure all those who supported the mining companies' campaign to stop the mining tax (along with Tony Abbott) must now be basking in the glow of the historically high profits ("Record proft sparks new mining tax call", February 17). Shame that neither they, nor the Australian people at large, will share in the proceeds. With these profits flowing mainly overseas, no doubt the offshore headquarters and investors will appreciate the efforts made on their behalf.Tom Cooke WooloowareWhat those baying for a tax on mining profits don't realise is that all their superannuation funds hold BHP shares. Keeping the profits in BHP makes more sense than giving them in taxes to government to be frittered away on more bureaucracy, overseas trips for ministers, triple layers of hospital administration and more unwanted school halls.David Griffiths North TurramurraA super-profits or rent tax imposed by Labor on our highly successful mining companies could easily be repealed when the Coalition next takes office, but companies like BHP will be around a lot longer than any government. Whingeing socialists who want to "spread the wealth for the good of Australia" should just take a personal stake in BHP. For a small online brokerage fee, they can invest directly from their own bank account and reap the resource-boom benefits as self-reliant shareholders. Oh, wait - they wanted something for nothing, didn't they?Greg Cantori SutherlandYour editorial is wrong to say the "Rudd-Gillard government" backed down on the mining tax ("Miners must share spoils", February 17). Kevin Rudd was staring down the miners while in office - it was the Gillard government that backed down. This is why Rudd's scalp hangs on Julia Gillard's wall.Ross Santangelo Concord
© 2011 Sydney Morning Herald
