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27-02-2006, 12:54pm
Max.... we already have a good legal system here. It's civilised, not barbaric. If people want to live under another legal system, I'm sure they could go find a country that would satisfy that need.
If people come to Australia, they sign something which basically says say "Yes... I'll abide by your laws and respect your customs. I also acknowledge and agree that your national identity criteria over-ride all others."
Its not acceptable for them to say some time later "Well, I'm here now and I've got rights too, so I want you to change everything to suit me - otherwise I'll call you all racists and cause unrest and upheaval."
I know that what I'm saying amounts to "We expect you to learn the language, adopt our ways and integrate peacefully into our society - but our culture, values, national identity and customs are not negotiable." Despite the fact that stament sounds unreasonable (and I try to be a reasonable person in all things), it isn't. The immigration papers don't include a section which asks "What must we change about ourselves to make Australia more acceptable to you ?". We are already one of the most tolerant countries in the world !!!!
I don't like Costello much, but I think he's on the right track with this one.
Ok... I think I need to adopt my "no politics" mantra now and quietly leave this thread. The older I get, the better I was. Regards.... Rob (Astro)
If people come to Australia, they sign something which basically says say "Yes... I'll abide by your laws and respect your customs. I also acknowledge and agree that your national identity criteria over-ride all others."
Its not acceptable for them to say some time later "Well, I'm here now and I've got rights too, so I want you to change everything to suit me - otherwise I'll call you all racists and cause unrest and upheaval."
I know that what I'm saying amounts to "We expect you to learn the language, adopt our ways and integrate peacefully into our society - but our culture, values, national identity and customs are not negotiable." Despite the fact that stament sounds unreasonable (and I try to be a reasonable person in all things), it isn't. The immigration papers don't include a section which asks "What must we change about ourselves to make Australia more acceptable to you ?". We are already one of the most tolerant countries in the world !!!!
I don't like Costello much, but I think he's on the right track with this one.
Ok... I think I need to adopt my "no politics" mantra now and quietly leave this thread. The older I get, the better I was. Regards.... Rob (Astro)