Rise Up Australia believes there is an important difference between being a ‘multi-ethnic nation with one culture’ and being a ‘multicultural nation’.

1.       Multi Ethnic with One Culture vs. Multicultural

A ‘multi-ethnic nation with one culture’ means that we have a melting pot that draws its richness from a blend of many ethnic groups. These groups may introduce a diverse range of cultural elements from their homelands but they are assimilated into Australian society as a whole. They don’t try to override Australian cultural traditions but strive to merely complement them. A fine example of this is Melbourne’s famous Lygon Street in which all Australians, male or female, from all walks of life can enjoy the best of Italian cuisine and a cosmopolitan cafe culture.

The word, ‘multiculturalism’, has been misunderstood and misused. In contrast to a ‘multi-ethnic nation with one culture’, ‘multiculturalism’ by its very nature fosters the setting up of exclusive ethnic enclaves that create parallel societies. An example of this is in parts of some European cities in England and France where Muslim extremists have set up ‘no-go’ zones for non-Islamists under the real threat of violence.(1) These areas function as microstates that are a law unto themselves—and in many cases, under Sharia law—and they exclude and threaten non-Islamists.

As some social commentators have noted, these enclaves are the by-product of years of multicultural policies that have encouraged Muslim immigrants to remain segregated rather than become integrated into their host nations. People who have raised the alarm were accused of being fear mongers when they had legitimate concerns for the wider community that needed to be addressed.

2.       Western Leaders Denounce Multiculturalism

The negative effects of multiculturalism in Europe have been widely reported. Multiculturalism has been denounced by many European Statesmen and women including German Chancellor Angel Merkel, British Prime Minister David Cameron, former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar and former French Prime Minister Nicolas Sarkozy. These world leaders have warned other Western nations that multiculturalism has failed to deliver a harmonious society in their countries but instead fuelled the spread of ethnic enclaves and Muslim extremism.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said her nation’s attempt to create a multicultural society had “utterly failed” (2) and that immigrants needed to do more to integrate.

British Prime Minister David Cameron denounced European-style multiculturalism, saying: “We have encouraged different cultures to live separate lives, apart from each other and apart from the mainstream. We’ve even tolerated these segregated communities behaving in ways that run completely counter to our values.”(3) In highlighting his concerns, he stated that the roots of violent Islamism were “deep” and could be found “in the extremist minority in every European city that preach hatred of the west and our way of life”. 

France’s former President Nicolas Sarkozy and Spain’s former leader Jose Maria Aznar have agreed with Cameron and Merkel, that multiculturalism has failed. (4) (5) Mr Sarkozy condemned multiculturalism for fostering Muslim extremism. He told the French people: “We have been too concerned about the identity of the person who was arriving and not enough about the identity of the country that was receiving him.”

Rather than uniting the country under one flag, multiculturalism has had the completely opposite effect. It has actually divided their nations, and has let people build ethnic enclaves within their countries causing segregation rather than integration. Australia is a multi-ethnic country comprising, many races, many skin colours – but one culture – Australian!

3.       Opposed to Dual Legal Systems (ie. Sharia Law)

Multiculturalism promotes the dangerous idea that we have to accept every person’s beliefs into our country at the expense of our own. Muslim extremists do not want to accept our laws but want to govern themselves by introducing Sharia Law into Australia.  The Australian newspaper reported in May 2011 that the nation’s peak Muslim body, the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, was “using the Gillard’s government re-embracing of multiculturalism to push for the introduction of sharia law in Australia”.(6)

Practices consistent with sharia law, unsanctioned by the government, have already crept into Australia. ABC News reported in June 2013 that one man was jailed and another three given good behaviour bonds in Sydney for giving another man 40 lashes as a sharia law punishment for drinking alcohol. (7)

Rise Up Australia Party is totally opposed to the introduction of Sharia law in Australia – it is incompatible with our democracy and in particular curtails the civil rights and freedoms of women. To clarify, we love the Muslim people but oppose their texts (Quran/Koran) and Islamic doctrine and ideology because it is oppressive and incompatible with the Australian way of life. We stand robustly on the foundation of our Judeo-Christian heritage, which includes the Ten Commandments, the Sermon on the Mount, the 1215 Magna Carta and the 1688 Bill of Rights.

4.       Freedom of Speech and Religion

In addition, we specifically highlight our right to Freedom of Speech, and the right to a democratic and accountable government. Also, we acknowledge the inalienable human right of each individual to pursue prosperity, happiness and freedom within a peaceful, well-ordered and well-governed society. We also acknowledge freedom of religion, provided the religion is tolerant of other religions. Islam, for example, is one religion which opposes the right to assemble and worship other gods and it vigorously fights to destroy or kill such people whom they describe as “infidels”. (8)

Our goal is to keep Australia Australian! We oppose multiculturalism but support a ‘multi-ethnic’ Australia where there are many races but ‘one culture’. We rejoice that people who come here from other nations are free to celebrate their own diverse backgrounds, while respecting Australian culture and complying with Australian laws.

Under multiculturalism, you are branded an intolerant racist if you refuse the Muslims the right of their religion, namely the aspect of Sharia law, which halves the rights of women and encourages Jihad (violence to progress Islam). Consequently we are vigorously opposed to dual legal systems operating simultaneously, as there will undoubtedly be conflicts of interest. We aim to promote a society of harmony, freedom and tolerance.

Also under the guise of cultural inclusion, there is a push to overthrow our Judeo- Christian values by getting Christmas carols and trees banned around the country. (9) These people are prepared to force their ways on all other Australians while not allowing the others to celebrate their own customs. In essence, they are using our tolerance against us.

Rise Up Australia Party’s policy is that people wanting to immigrate to Australia will integrate into our legal systems and cultures, or will be sent back to where they came from out of a genuine concern that they  will not act in our national interests. No dual system of laws will be tolerated under any circumstances if we want a nation that is united. We are multi-ethnic but one culture.

References:

1   ‘Wear a headscarf or we will kill you’: How the ‘London Taliban’ is threatening women and trying to ban gays in bid to impose sharia law 18 April 2011 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1377780/London-Taliban-targeting-women-gays-bid-impose-sharia-law.html#ixzz2aJUdPMYu

2   Merkel says German multicultural society has failed, 17 October 2010, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11559451 and http://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/oct/17/angela-merkel-german-multiculturalism-failed

3   David Cameron’s attack on multiculturalism divides the nation, 6 February 2011, http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2011/feb/05/david-cameron-attack-multiculturalism-coalitionand  http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/cameron-my-war-on-multiculturalism-2205074.html

4   ‘Nicolas Sarkozy joins David Cameron and Angela Merkel view that multiculturalism has failed, 11 February 2011, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1355961/Nicolas-Sarkozy-joins-David-Cameron-Angela-Merkel-view-multiculturalism-failed.html#ixzz2aJhCOS2c

5   ‘Multiculturalism has failed: celebration of separate cultures has led to jihad’, Washington Times, 16 February 2011, http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/feb/16/multiculturalism-has-failed/

6   ‘Muslims to push for sharia’, The Australian, 17 May 2011. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/muslims-use-multiculturalism-to-push-for-sharia/story-fn59niix-1226057100331

7   ‘Man jailed over ‘sharia law’ whipping’, ABC News, 15 June 2013, http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-14/men-sentenced-over-sharia-whipping/4755638

8   Quran (8:12) – “I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them”.

9   ‘Hammering the final nails in the coffin of Christmas’, The Guardian, 14 December 2011,

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/hammering-the-final-nails-in-the-coffin-of-christmas/story-e6frezz0-1226221232610