What happened to the New Australians

 Peter Adamis Abalinx 24 January 2017

As we approach 2017 Australia Day I wonder what ever happened to the New Australians of the Fifties and Sixties.   Why did we lose that tag, when did it happen and why was it necessary to change the label as such? If the Kangaroo and the Emu can be chums and Australian, why not new arrivals to Australia. I believe that it is a fair to question the paradigms of the past and make changes if necessary! A copy of the article may be downloaded by clicking on: WHAT HAPPENED TO THE NEW AUSTRALIANS

Why not question the wisdom of those who made the changes and review their decision making process to see whether they were successful.   The word “Multiculturalism” is far more divisive than Cultural Diversity and should be struck from being used as a policy for those whose agendas involve using tax payer’s money and return to using the label New Australian. After all, is that what cultural diversity is all about.  When the label Multiculturalism was first stamped on the Australian nation I was not convinced that encompassed all of the view of the Australian people, nor was it sold in the manner that it should have been. 

Had the decision makers advised Australians that Multiculturalism was merely a vehicle to obtaining Australian citizenship or becoming a good Australian observing Australian laws and institutions, then maybe we would not have a divided Australia regarding our attitude towards new peoples coming to our shores?  The Cronulla saga and the Bendigo protests are two very good examples where misinformation, misunderstanding and certainly fear of the unknown are all partners failing to come to terms with matters alien to Australians.

I am not afraid of being called names or labelled as a right wing conservative or worst still being called opinionated and biased towards new peoples arriving on our shores. Yes people can heckle me, put me down, point out my Greek heritage and say that I am being a traitor or a puppet to my own kind. My critics can do what they like except stop me from having the freedom to speak my mind.  Yes I am very passionate about what I believe in and I believe that I have earned the right to say my piece to whoever wishes to listen. I am not trying to please anyone, nor am I writing in order to be accepted, acknowledged or feted for being a good little Aussie. Far from it. I have done my bit like many thousands of others and as such I would prefer to say what and how I feel is the right thing to do.

No contribution on a political sense has had little impact or influence on the overall immigration policy, but I do believe that by leading by example it may have influenced others to make the right decisions on behalf of the Australian people. At the present moment Australia is fast becoming a part of the global network through the use of technology and its immediate impact on people’s emotions and wellbeing. Gone are the days when Australian would wait for ships to bring news from the old country which in all cases was months old. Gone are the days when telephone communication was restricted and/or difficult to get hold of if one was to ring outside the shores of Australia. Today, news from around the world is being beamed into our living rooms and infiltrating every part of the household if not the individual because of mobile hand held devices.

Technology has certainly changed the way we look, communicate, dress, eat, entertain and keep up with the latest news from around the globe. Yes technology is here to stay and very soon that technology will soon be embedded within us for health, safety and wellbeing purposes we are told. If that is to occur, I wonder what impact it will have on us as Australians. Does this mean that we shall soon be labelled again as connected and not connected to the Grid that will be affection ally coined the “Matrix”?  I kid you not.   How will that impact on our cultural diversity within Australia and will there be a need for cultural diversity if we are automatically embed with devices at birth and categorised as such. Food for thought and yet maybe I am far ahead of myself.

From a personal point of view I would prefer that we do away with the word “Multiculturalism” and return back to the label “New Australians”, using the labels “Cultural Diversity” and “Multiculturalism” as means of transport towards becoming Australian citizens. Tax payers money would be saved, communities will towards becoming stronger by not relying on government funding except for infrastructure projects which can be long term loans or on a dollar for dollar basis.

The label “New Australians”, has a nice ring to it and many would find it compatible with most Australians. Citizenship should therefore have criteria that is simple, easy to understand and be associated with morals and ethics that mirror if not compatible with Australian values.

Once citizenship is attained there should be no barrier or further objections towards someone who has earned the right to be called an Australian. To do or say otherwise would be unacceptable and certainly un-Australian.   If we can do achieve that then we are working to becoming united as one people.

2015 and 2016 for me were years of reflection, treatment and recovery. Not to dwell on what could have been but to ensure that whatever time we have left is not squander in futile objectives that lead to nowhere. I intend to make life more meaningful and worthwhile, worthy of those who had a hand in making me who I am today.   Life as we know it can only be sustained by vigilance and with that vigilance comes responsibility. Let us hope that 2017 is a good one.

Peter Adamis is a Journalist/Social Media Commentator and writer. He is a retired Australian military serviceman and an Industry organisational & Occupational (OHS) & Training Consultant whose interests are within the parameters of domestic and international political spectrum.  He is an avid blogger and contributes to domestic and international community news media outlets as well as to local and Ethnic News.  He holds a Bachelor   of Adult Learning & Development (Monash), Grad Dip Occupational Health & Safety, (Monash), Dip. Training & Assessment, Dip Public Administration, and Dip Frontline Management. Website: abalinx.com Contact via Email: [email protected] or via Mobile: 0409965538

 

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