">My Big World Of Crap

Both John Howard and Kim Beazley have raised the question of “Australian values” lately. In particular in the context of immigrants to Australia having them. What exactly are these “Australian values”? Are they John Howard’s values, Kim Beazley’s values, my values or some mysterious set of values that have evolved from thin air and which we are all expected to have?

Kim Beazley has suggested Australian visa forms could include a statement of Australian values so all people arriving in the country would understand what was expected of them. John Howard has not dismissed this suggestion, but it has been rubbished by some, such as the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria as well as a number of Labor MP’s.

The sort of values suggested include democracy, respect for women and mateship.

Most of the recent debate around “Australian values” has been in the context of certain ethnic or religious groups not living by them, and not integrating into Australian society. Muslims in particular have been targeted, most likely without much justification, but because bearded men and women in headscarves stand out, and because of the “Muslim = terrorist” hysteria that has been whipped up.

I think its a reasonable expectation that people who come to live in Australia should endeavour to participate actively in our society, rather than live entirely within an enclave where they seek to recreate the society they came from. In particular, participation in Australia needs people to actively learn English - its pretty hard to work, be educated, participate in commerce or leisure activities without it. And I think people should accept Australian institutions, at least passively, and not seek to actively undermine them or replace them with substitutes from their previous countries. Beyond that, pursuit of your religion, cultural practices (within reason, ie things like female circumcision, infanticide against female babies, human and animal sacrifices etc, are unacceptable in any way, shape or form, etc is fine. What I really object to is people coming here and seeking to continue their ages old hatreds against other ethnic or religious groups - this really ought to be left behind in the dark ages in their old country, and if they can’t let go of it, they should stay there. Doesn’t matter if its Arab vs Jew, Sunni vs Shi’a, Serb vs Croat, Catholic vs Protestant, Redneck vs Negro … it doesn’t belong here. Same for people who come here and support violent jihad - piss off. Same for Christian conservative wackos who want their beliefs to govern how everyone else lives - fuck off.

Now back to these Australian values. What about values like going on a pub crawl and getting maggoted, going to the footy and abusing the referee/umpire, and the like.

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