The case for multiculturalism

The case for multiculturalism

Maria Vamvakinou MP
Jakarta

Since the tragedy of the London bombings, many of the
commentators debating the pros and cons of Australia's policy of
multiculturalism have simply ignored reality.

Critics focus their attacks on the Muslim community, yet at
the same time, they often commend Australia's post war
immigration policy. This is ironic given that many post war
immigrants were treated with equal suspicion, my family included.

I most certainly remember the taunts, and the criticisms aimed
at those labeled "dagos" and "wogs", and the allegations that
they were invading our country, taking our jobs, eyeing our
women, eating strange food, speaking unintelligible foreign
languages, and not mixing in with the rest of us.

I am a child of post war immigration, and like many other
immigrants, a success story. But it wasn't easy for us. We have
not forgotten those critics who lurked in our neighborhoods, our
workplaces, and our schools, telling us to go back home. We grew
up to be good Australians nevertheless. Our parents integrated
and made a contribution, we are bi-lingual, often multi-lingual,
and have used our talents, and the gifts we brought with us, to
participate in creating a vibrant, rich and successful society --
a multicultural society of tolerance, loyalty, respect and pride
in ourselves and Australia.

The current critics of multiculturalism base their arguments
on false premises. They argue that multiculturalism inhibits
integration, creates ghettos of immigrants, and is - in the
current security climate - a threat to Australian society. Their
solution is to call for the immediate abandonment of the policy
of multiculturalism and for Muslims to assimilate immediately.

Such a view ignores the basic fact that Australia's post-war
immigration policy has been a success; a success which has
largely taken place within the context of multiculturalism. So
why should things be any different now for our newer immigrant
communities? Could it be that some amongst us have already
decided that Muslims, no matter who they are or where they come
from, are an anathema and danger to the community they live
amongst? And if so, on what do we base this conclusion?

Many commentators have now said that Australia faces an
increased terrorist threat as a result of the war in Iraq. Indeed
many Australians, who are not Muslim, believe that we have no
business being in Iraq and that we were lied to and seriously
misled to the point where we have now become terrorist targets.
Do we conclude that they too pose a danger and a threat to our
national security? The fact that Iraq and the war on terror has
become a contested issue in the wider community has nothing to do
with multiculturalism.

The critics of multiculturalism seem to have a very narrow
view of what it means to be Australian and no idea how
Australia's multicultural image has a positive impact
internationally and can actually aid our national security -- our
current close cooperation with Indonesia is a perfect example. As
a result they are unable to appreciate the true value of
multiculturalism.

They look to current international events to legitimize the
attacks on the Muslim community and to call for the end of
multiculturalism; however they fail to mention the many benefits
that flow from our policy of multiculturalism. Benefits such as
economic and social development which foster harmony, diversity
and international strength, and the many other benefits naturally
derived from a society whose relations are based on tolerance and
respect. Even John Howard, who once famously said that Australia
was in danger of being taken over by Asians, has back-tracked on
immigration and now regrets his statement.

History shows us that in time, immigrant communities will
integrate into the broader Australian community through
education, civic participation and business links. As an
Australian MP of Greek background I am proof of that. In my
electorate, I am proud to represent many Australians of Muslim
faith, who are in turn producing their own success stories as
they become part of the wider fabric of Australian society.

The type of wedge politics that the critics of
multiculturalism are now using may in fact cause defensiveness
amongst those of Muslim faith, and therefore resistance to the
integration process. For the sake of our children's future it is
imperative that we maintain the balance that has made Australia
the successful multicultural society that it is today.

The writer is the Federal Member for Calwell and was recently
in Indonesia on a parliamentary delegation involving Australian
MPs and Indonesian MPs