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Greens leader Senator David Shoebridge talks about why a single "Australian culture" is a non-starter, and why a society that brings every culture together is "far more powerful, far stronger, far more resilient".
In this episode of Pause with Nandini on NRI Affairs, Senator Shoebridge speaks after the Hindus for Human Rights Interfaith Diwali event about the debate over monoculture versus multiculturalism, the right to dissent, fairness in media coverage, and what young people want from politics.
HIGHLIGHTS
Multiculturalism
• "We are a proudly multicultural country." Shoebridge says everyone's traditions, religions and memories have "a really valid and equal place" in Australia, no matter where in the world they came from.
• He puts First Nations history and culture, "the longest continuing culture on the planet", at the heart of that story.
• On calls for one dominant culture: "Which one are they going to pick?" He calls the idea foolish, damaging and divisive, and says the "mosaic" of Australian life is what makes the country stronger and more resilient.
Interfaith Diwali and shared humanity
• He reflects on how Hindu, Sikh, Jewish, Christian and Muslim speakers all described light as a source of guidance and connection, and says it points to "a deeper commonality that we have as humans".
• His message: lean into what we share, "not to ignore the diversity", but to see how it is brought together.
• He thanks Hindus for Human Rights for hosting the event.
Standing against racism and division
• Dissent is "a fundamental right in any democratic society", but never a licence for violence, hate or dehumanising language.
• He rejects what he calls the "false equivalence" between rallies supporting Palestinian human rights and anti-migrant, hateful gatherings, and says governments draw that comparison to shut down critique.
• On media coverage of violence, he says a careful, nuanced approach should apply to everyone, "regardless of the gender or the race or the background or the religion of the individual involved".
Young people
• Young people's voices should be "prioritised", because it is their future most at stake.
• He points to student-led movements in Bangladesh and India, and says the Greens' strongest support is among 18 to 35 year olds.
A message to the South Asian community
• "Keep the madness and chaos happening. Keep the colour and the light and the spirit and the fun and the joy and the community." He tells Indian, Bangladeshi and Pakistani Australians that their cultural values "make us better and stronger".
Host: Nandini
Guest: Senator David Shoebridge, Leader of the Australian Greens
NRI Affairs is an independent Australian online current affairs platform serving the Indian diaspora. Read more at https://nriaffairs.com
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