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This theme explores the contentious issue of immigration, including its history, economics, and several key arguments that exist around it. Particularly it looks at various dimensions of thought on immigration which see it as a threat to Australia’s socio-economic fabric and, extending to the issue of refugees, often position those coming into Australia as impinging on the lives of Australians. By looking at key history, facts and figures, this theme will seek to debunk key myths and explore the reality of immigrants and their contribution to Australia.
A brief history of Australia’s migrant heritage from the 1800’s until now and beyond.
Joseph Anthony Camilleri is Emeritus Professor at La Trobe University, where he held the Chair in International Relations (1994-2012). He was founding Director of the Centre for Dialogue 2006-2012. He is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Social Sciences, Managing Director of Alexandria Agenda, and chair of the Academic Board of La Trobe College Australia (part of the Navitas Group). He is a recipient of numerous national and international awards, including the Order of Australia Medal.
If Australia is to be consistent with its purported, democratic, foundational values such as that of “fairness”, then it is crucial to not exclude and discredit migrants. It is vital to acknowledge their integral role in building Australia’s past, present and future. Failing to ensure such will contribute to a lack of social cohesion.
Several misunderstandings exist today around migrants and refugees; some of these are borne out of a sense that some born Australians have been left behind. Despite the controversies that surround their migration to Australia, migrants have contributed significantly to Australia throughout history.
The internet has become a site of discussion, argumentation and conjecture on all manner of life’s affairs in the last 20 years. Somewhere on the internet, some issue, profound or mundane, is always being discussed.
Politics as an area of concern is chief among these. From migration and refugees, Australian value and culture, the internet is unsurprisingly a hotbed of discussion and debate.
We present an example of how even virulent debate can – given the right conditions – facilitate surprisingly provocative discussions so long as those engaged are willing to open their minds and question their assumptions. This mock conversation resembles real discussions, highlighting that often, all it takes is a willingness to look past long-held biases to actual facts and history.
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