Opinion from Liberal Senator Andrew McLachlan :
Since my own service in Afghanistan and subsequently entering public life I have enjoyed a wonderful relationship with the Afghan community. These families have escaped oppression after supporting our military engagement in their country. Now they are proud Australians making an outstanding contribution to the state.
Therefore I find it very difficult to accept the musings from certain conservative commentators this week, including those within my party, questioning the value of multiculturalism and a society that cherishes diversity.
I’m talking of course about comments such as those from Tony Abbott, who said he has “serious concerns” about multiculturalism, preferring how our immigration policy was run in the “50s, 60s, and 70s” – during the White Australia policy. “Our character is essentially Anglo-Celtic and Judaeo-Christian. That’s what has made our country attractive to migrants, and we should keep it that way,” he said.