Mum had no time for Australian values. In fact, she was pretty vocal on the topic. Australians allowed their kids to roam around after school on bikes. No-one knew where their kids were from one minute to the next. And there was this massive focus on sport. What on earth was that all about?

Subscribe now for unlimited access.

Login or signup to continue reading

And worst, Australian parents seemed to have little interest in homework, in their kids doing well at school. Whereas, my parents were obsessed with school and academic work (I don't - quite - share their focus). Also, sure, learn English - but many other languages. She spoke a number but her English was far from perfect.

Now it turns out that we are about to have an Australian Values Statement which prospective migrants will have to sign. It will be legally binding. This is just one of the strange policy promises made about migration by the leader of the opposition, Angus Taylor, last week at the Menzies Research Centre.

Haha. Mum and Dad would have failed dismally - and that, I'd argue, would have been a net loss to Australia. They produced three taxpayers who in turn produced five taxpayers. Mostly law-abiding. I'm not entirely sure my sister, may she rest in peace, had due respect for speed limits - but otherwise, all good.

Australian values? Why? What?

I asked Australia's Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman what he thought Australian values should be. He was quick to respond: dignity, equity and respect.

"These are the values we should aspire to and our systems and institutions don't always respect those values," he said.

Anyhow, I wasn't entirely sure what Australian values are so I looked them up. This is what visa applicants have to sign if they want to come here. I bet they are as puzzled as me.

Apparently, number one, freedom and respect of individuals. Number two, various freedoms including religion, speech, association (yay for unions). Three:........

© Canberra Times