SOME have described me as a multicultural enigma. Indeed I have dedicated my longstanding public life of more than 50 years to a deep commitment to and strong advocacy for the critical importance of multiculturalism as Australian nation building. I have described our multicultural society and our immigration story, while not perfect, as an exemplar for the rest of the world. I continue to maintain my engagement with community groups that represent our multicultural society. I believe in multiculturalism and its respect for mutual tolerance and diversity. We build our nation together.
I was proud to introduce the Living in Harmony initiative as Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs in 1999. On 21 March each year we celebrate Harmony Day.
Over the many years of attending Australian Citizenship ceremonies, new citizens take an oath or affirm their commitment to our democratic institutions and values as part of a solemn compact where new citizens also confirm their respect for freedom of religion, ethnic and cultural diversity, gender equality and the like. At those ceremonies all attendees are invited to swear or reaffirm their loyalty to Australia and that social compact, an initiative I was proud to introduce.
Since 1788 we have become an immigrant derivative nation. Except for our first Australians were are all migrants. Even the First Fleet demonstrated the diversity that reflected London being an international city. A number of convicts transported in 1788 were Jewish. Our Jewish community is an intrinsic part of the foundations of our rich, culturally diverse society. There is no place for antisemitism. Since 1788 these waves of migration have come from all over the world and comprise more than 150 different countries of origin and ethnicities. Many have fled persecution and conflict, including political, economic and social upheaval; many have come to seek better opportunities for themselves and their families; all of them come to build our nation together.
Imagine if every migrant brought the conflicts that have been left behind and prosecuted them here. Our society would be completely fractured. We have worked hard over the many years to create our nation building success story: the investment of governments (irrespective of political affiliation) to support communities in their settlement experience, the critical handshake experience between the host country and the new arrivals, the rich diversity that is our schools, universities, workplaces, religious, social and cultural groups. We have all benefitted both individually and as a nation from what constitutes modern Australia.
We have more than 50% of our population overseas born or with a parent overseas born. We have the third largest population of overseas born of any country, only exceeded by Israel and Luxemburg. We have shown the world that diversity is not a problem.
Now what we have built together is under serious threat. There should be zero tolerance of antisemitism. There should be zero tolerance of any racism. No one who lives in Australia should be marginalised or feel unsafe. Living in harmony is not a glib expression. It goes to the fundamental heart and fabric of our society that we have created.
All of us have an important role to play here. Governments can only do so much. It’s up to the rest of us to stand up for what we value most, a tolerant and respectful society that warmly embraces diversity in all its elements. No one should be called to account or threatened due to disagreement with the political or military actions of a foreign government. Whoever is prosecuting the current targeting of the Jewish community represents a sinister threat to the fabric of our whole society. It is not the Australian way. Reach out to our Jewish friends, reach out to our Muslim friends and help them.
Hon Philip Ruddock AO, former Minister in the Howard Government and Australia’s longest serving Immigration Minister; Federal MP for Berowra 1993-2016; Mayor of Hornsby 2017-2024
