This election campaign has seen more of a focus on the issues of immigration, population and asylum seekers than any other election in recent times.  Whilst it’s heartening to see these subjects being discussed, there has been little discussion around the related topic of social cohesion. Australians are concerned about the total number of people [...]

I’m always confused when discussing immigration when someone says “Well, the Aboriginals were here first”. My first reaction to this statement is to think ‘What does the fact that Aboriginals came here 40,000 years ago got to do with a debate about modern day immigration?  Should I retort back that we were here 2nd?’ Facile [...]

Professor Tim Flannery, 2007 Australian of the year and one of Australia’s best known scientists, has spoken out against both high immigration and the need for multiculturalism.  Whilst Flannery’s views on Australia’s population are well known, it’s refreshing to hear a person that is held in such esteem also tackle the sensitive topic of multiculturalism. [...]

The past week has seen a lot of reporting on Australia’s high levels of immigration and population growth.  The reports were sparked by the release of the latest Intergenerational Report. Headlines such as Australia ‘sleepwalking’ into population disaster have questioned the perceived wisdom that an ever-increasing population is a good thing.  It’s heartening to see [...]

A colleague leaves work because the previous night he drank a bottle of spirits by himself.  A friend tells me that on some weekends she doesn’t talk to a single person.  I occasionally wander around the city at night, the bright lights and bustle of the city all around me, feeling isolated amongst the humanity. [...]

In what is believed to be a world first, a white South African has been granted asylum in Canada due to the persecution he received from black people in his own country.  The black racists that had attacked him on different occasions had called him a ‘white dog’ and a ‘settler’. He might consider himself [...]

There are many opinions about the benefits or otherwise of multiculturalism.  Some people feel one way and will quote one study, others will feel a different way and quote another study, and the cycle goes on ad-nauseam. But what if there was just one all encompassing indicator that measured the impact of multiculturalism?  What if [...]

The federal government has gone back to the future and created a multicultural advisory council that will advise on multicultural affairs. The council is to advise on ways to promote social cohesion and overcoming racism and intolerance, which is ironic given that these are some of the very aspects that multiculturalism brings to Australian communities. [...]

In July this year I wrote an article Appeals won’t stop gang crime, after the 17th teenager was murdered in London this year.  Since then 11 more teenagers have been murdered, bringing the total to 28 for 2008.  Prominent figures such as former Prime Minister Tony Blair have blamed the spate of murders on black [...]

I’m going to make a confession.  I would love it if multiculturalism worked.  I would love it if we could all just get along.  Nothing would be better.  I could take down this website, enrobe myself in the latest ethnic wear and celebrate diversity.  The world would be good. Sure, there is the little thing [...]