| Sports |
by NICK BRYANT
Controversies cloud Australia Day
Sydney: Ferry races across Sydney
harbour, daredevil aerobatic displays and spectacular pyrotechnics
overhead. The Australia Day holiday last Friday is traditionally a
time of carefree celebration.
Thousands of families commemorate the establishment of the first
British settlement in 1788 by basking in the sun at the beach or
firing up the “barbie” in the backyard. But this year, the lead-up
to the country’s national day has also been marked by a bout of
countrywide introspection.
This has been brought about by a series of incidents and
controversies which have fuelled the ongoing debate about the
essence of national character and national identity – or, put more
simply, what it is to be Australian in a country being overtaken
by ethnic, religious and social change.
The week started with tabloid-fuelled public outrage over a
decision by organisers of an outdoor rock concert in Sydney, to
discourage the use of the Australian flag, out of fear it had
become a symbol of racism and hate.
One organiser described the flag as a “gang colour”, a reference
to its use during the Cronulla riots in December 2005 when hordes
of white protesters brandished the national flag as they launched
attacks on Australians of Middle Eastern origin. The concert had
already been brought forward 24 hours to avoid any overtly
nationalistic overtones.
The decision was political correctness gone mad, according to
Australian politicians of all stripes – mindful no doubt of the
upcoming federal elections in the second half of the year in which
the question of national identity is likely to be a hot-button
issue.
In past elections, prime minister John Howard has proved himself
particularly adept at exploiting voter fears about the threat to
Australian identity from asylum seekers and new immigrants.
This year, a rejuvenated Labor Party, under its new leader Kevin
Rudd, is determined not to be outflanked. In condemning the
organisers’ decision, Rudd was wrapping himself just as tightly in
the flag as Howard.
Even before the flag controversy erupted, ugly brawling on the
first day of the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne
between rival Australian-born Serbian and Australian-born Croatian
fans had raised fresh fears about the viability of
multiculturalism. Most of the fans involved in the skirmishes came
from Melbourne.
Then there was the latest offering from Australia’s most senior
Muslim cleric, Sheikh Taj el-Din al-Hilali, the mufti who late
last year provoked outrage by suggesting that women who did not
wear the Islamic veil had only themselves to blame for becoming
victims of sexual assault. Speaking on Egyptian TV, Hilali said
Muslims had a much greater right to be in Australia than whites.
“Anglo Saxons came to Australia in chains,” he told the chat show
Cairo Today, “while we paid our way and came in freedom. We are
more Australian than them. Australia is not an Anglo-Saxon country
– Islam has deep roots in Australian soil that were there before
the English arrived.”
Dodging reporters at Sydney airport, Hilali returned overnight
from a period of self-imposed exile in the Middle East. His
arrival made headline news, partly because Hilali has hinted he
might seek office in the forthcoming New South Wales state
elections in the of hope attracting support from Muslims
disenchanted with the main political parties. Another challenge to
multiculturalism.
Australia is one of the most ethnically diverse countries on the
planet. According to the 2001 census, 23% of the population were
born overseas, while 43% were either born overseas or at least had
one parent born overseas.
The question being asked more frequently is whether Australia can
be successful multi-culturally. Howard regularly touts his ideas
for a so-called “Aussie test” for new immigrants hoping to become
citizens – an examination both of historical knowledge and
Australian values, like “mateship” and fair play.
Derek Fine came to Australia 32 years ago from South Africa, says
Australia is just as welcoming now as it was then. “If you come
with the right attitude, then this is a great and fair country,”
he says.
But Jan Titterton is worried about the influx of new immigrants,
and believes there should be stronger controls in place.
“I think Australia was successfully multicultural, but I don’t
think the government is paying any attention to who they are
allowing in. It’s just open season,” she said.
“I do think you should ask a couple of questions: Do you hate
Australians and do you believe in the Western way of life? We
should stop the 50% Australians. If you want to be an Australian
then get rid of your other passports.” – BBC
In announcing a major cabinet reshuffle this week, he also renamed
the Ministry of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.
Quite deliberately, he dropped the reference to multiculturalism
and replaced it with “citizenship”.
On the question of multiculturalism, Australia is a nation in
flux.
 
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