Andrew Bartlett sent a letter to the President of the Senate expressing support for multiculturalism.

It contained;

Pursuant to standing order 75, I give notice that today I propose to move:

"That, in the opinion of the Senate, the following is a matter of urgency:

The need for the Senate and all political leaders to express strong support for multiculturalism in Australia as playing a key role in the battle against extremism, in light of the increased public vilification and antagonism towards Muslims and other ethnic communities in Australia."

Several Senators weighed in on the issue. Senator Ronaldson;

As I said in my maiden speech, terrorism and extremism are the greatest threats to our region and to democratic nations throughout the world. Quite simply, we must work together to address this threat. The challenge is enormous. Everyone in this chamber would agree that it is not a short-term challenge; it is a short-term, medium-term and long-term challenge.

What is important is an acknowledgment by all of us that the Muslim community in this country is under threat from within. Radical clerics and spokespeople are undermining the genuine endeavours and the commitment of the moderate majority as they try to deal with extremism and negative perceptions.

Ronaldson quoted a 60 Minutes interview where the US Government was blamed for September 11th. It is interesting to note that Ronaldson is supporting the "National Security State" by claiming it is a long-term issue.

Ronaldson does not address the issue of multi-culturalism either - just the concern that muslims are not discriminated against, and that extremist muslims are ruining it, not only for moderate muslims; but through implication, for all of us.

Senator Ludwig replied to Senator Ronaldson. He included some references to the government wondering why their departments didnt support multiculturalism (as a kind of equity - equal oppurtunities?). I am not sure this is neccessary though. Multiculturalism is about being who you want to be, not what the state or the society demands you be. It is about liberty. Ludwig later mentions the social cohesion aspect of multiculturalism;

Let me put it in this way. There are Muslims who live here and many are Australian citizens. They are not going to depart Australia. They are not going to leave if we end multiculturalism tomorrow. They are here to stay. The question we need to ask is: do we have a system which ensures social cohesion and respect for the law and Australian values, or do we turn our back on multiculturalism as a means of achieving this? The Muslim community in Australia participates and must continue to participate in the fight against terrorism, as does every other religious order, group and part of our community. It is about ensuring that all of our community recognises that terrorism is against the community, our social cohesion and the fabric of our society. It is not wanted, is not needed and should be rooted out.

Senator Fierravanti-Wells spoke next, tracing her ethnic roots through Australian culture and stating;

Over the years I have observed firsthand that Australia is a place where all of us, despite our differences, have shown that we are willing to listen, discuss and consider. Australia is a tolerant and compassionate society founded on understanding and respecting differences. With this tolerance has come the responsibility of integration in the Australian way of life and a respect for Australian customs and usages. In a globalised world this openness of approach has proved to be a great asset. It is also our strength against terrorism and extremism.

But that isn't multiculturalism, that is assimilation into monoculturalism. I am a classic example of how ignorant this notion is, I live in the US, work in the US, have an American wife, and half my family is American - but i never, ever can be American. I am Australian.

America makes no demands on me to fly the American flag off my house, in fact I would be in serious trouble if it did as Boxing Matilda is the flag that most commonly is flying proudly to the street.

Senator Nettle was next to speak. His reply was short and in support of multiculturalism. It was also high on the attack scale, euqating Senator Stone's comments as being near racism. Probably a Senate form of Godwining yourself.

One interesting quote from it was;

Multiculturalism in Australia is a fact. It is not a theory or an experiment, as some would have us believe. It is a fact and has been at least since European colonisation of the continent began. Those who contend that Australian culture has ever been homogenous are simply wrong, and there are generations of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, Chinese, Jewish, Arab, Irish, Pacific Islander, German and so many other cultural groups living in Australia who are proof of this.

It is my belief that multiculturalism is a natural out-growth of liberty. Letting people be who they want to be is the mechanism to greater prosperity, social harmony and cultural advancement. Maximum liberty must be the goal of any society, and state.

Senator Hurley asks an interesting question of the media;

There are 200 languages spoken in Australia. We are a multicultural country and will continue to be. The fact is we cannot do away with multiculturalism in this country without proposing some sort of other practical way to address the diversity in our country. That is what a lot of the debate that has gone on in the media has not addressed. If multiculturalism is not the way of the future, if it no longer copes in our country, what do we replace it with?

Which is a fair summation of the op-ed media, it nothing more cerebral and useful than "multi-culturalism bad" and that it "causes terrorism". Hurley continues;

I do not think we have anything to fear from Muslim culture, and its differences, providing that the moderate force prevails in our society. Indeed, in Australia we have laws and regulations which ensure that Australian values are preserved. If there is any fear about the influx of people of different cultures and religion coming into Australia then we need to address it through an examination of our laws and regulations rather than tarring all people of that religion or ethnic group with the same brush.

I am reminded of Greg Egan's "Professional Australians" description. As if the rule of law and liberty are uniquely "Australian values". She, like Ludwing, concluded by attacking the government for not doing enough to ensure equal access for the "multicultural people".

The final speaker was Senator Brandis who concluded with a tip of the hat to Malcolm Fraser;

Malcolm Fraser, who is much criticised on my side of politics these days, will always have an honourable place as one of the Australian statesmen who ushered in the era of multiculturalism.

I was a bit disappointed, this could have been an interesting debate, but it appears party positions were maintained more than anything else. All of them caricatured themselves to an extent by sticking to party lines. Which was a shame.

cam

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