Tourist Oath of Loyalty to Australia
September 12th 2006 13:06
Tourist Pledge of Loyalty
Kim Beazley dropped a bomb shell when he suggested that visiting tourist should sign a declaration to respect Australian values. The plan could be seen as a response to John Howard’s suggestion that new immigrants should be given lessons in Australian values.
It could be said that both plans are squarely aimed to placate an electorate that is uneasy in the post 9/11 world. Some form of oath or pledge upon entry to Australia would be seen as a precondition to entry. So what would be in such a pledge and would it work?
Australian value like obeying the laws and tolerance towards others seems reasonable. Respecting the enforcers of the law is not much different than in any country. Respecting the Australian Defense Forces? Now it gets difficult to explain what is meant by respect. Does it also include respecting the foreign policy that ADF is ordered to enforce?
Respecting hard work? Do only Australians work hard? Do non-Australians not work hard?
Mateship? Now it gets a little vague. As the term ‘mateship’ has what ever meaning you wish to put on it. Are we really all ‘mates’ in Australia or just some of us?
A fair go? A fair go at what? A fair go at speaking your mind freely? Or a fair go until you speak freely?
It is a fair bet that many people born in Australia would have difficulty signing up for all of these demands. Would you sign a similar agreement upon entering another country? Would pledge to not criticize the bad laws of an oppressive state? If a tourist did sign a pledge would it mean anything other than another piece of paper? Sign the pledge and you get to sun bake on Bondi. Refuse to sign and you get sent packing.
Such pledges may be more jingoistic than practical. It could be seen as forcing foreign nationals to kiss our flag and accept our foreign policies before being granted entry. The true nature of the pledges or oaths will be in its wording. A vague pledge would be little more than a puff piece that achieves no real change. A pledge that is too specific could contain wording that places severe restriction on anyone who signs. Also would certain countries be exempt from the pledge due to their closeness to Australia. (New Zealanders or an American diplomat for example.)
There is no doubt that since both side of the parliament have made statements about this matter they believe it may have support. Perhaps they are just trying to outdo each other in contest of being a strong leader.
Kim Beazley dropped a bomb shell when he suggested that visiting tourist should sign a declaration to respect Australian values. The plan could be seen as a response to John Howard’s suggestion that new immigrants should be given lessons in Australian values.
It could be said that both plans are squarely aimed to placate an electorate that is uneasy in the post 9/11 world. Some form of oath or pledge upon entry to Australia would be seen as a precondition to entry. So what would be in such a pledge and would it work?
Australian value like obeying the laws and tolerance towards others seems reasonable. Respecting the enforcers of the law is not much different than in any country. Respecting the Australian Defense Forces? Now it gets difficult to explain what is meant by respect. Does it also include respecting the foreign policy that ADF is ordered to enforce?
Mateship? Now it gets a little vague. As the term ‘mateship’ has what ever meaning you wish to put on it. Are we really all ‘mates’ in Australia or just some of us?
A fair go? A fair go at what? A fair go at speaking your mind freely? Or a fair go until you speak freely?
It is a fair bet that many people born in Australia would have difficulty signing up for all of these demands. Would you sign a similar agreement upon entering another country? Would pledge to not criticize the bad laws of an oppressive state? If a tourist did sign a pledge would it mean anything other than another piece of paper? Sign the pledge and you get to sun bake on Bondi. Refuse to sign and you get sent packing.
Such pledges may be more jingoistic than practical. It could be seen as forcing foreign nationals to kiss our flag and accept our foreign policies before being granted entry. The true nature of the pledges or oaths will be in its wording. A vague pledge would be little more than a puff piece that achieves no real change. A pledge that is too specific could contain wording that places severe restriction on anyone who signs. Also would certain countries be exempt from the pledge due to their closeness to Australia. (New Zealanders or an American diplomat for example.)
There is no doubt that since both side of the parliament have made statements about this matter they believe it may have support. Perhaps they are just trying to outdo each other in contest of being a strong leader.
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Comment by Suburban Boy
Oz Politics and Kulture!
You raise a good point about Australian born people who may not want to sign the form.
What is mateship? One of the key values they keep raising. Don't mates help others who are close by them when they are in trouble. Howard shows no sign of mateship when a boatload of refugees turn up from a war torn country seeking asylum. He takes them to an isolated island or detention centre and locks them up.
Comment by Adrian
Philosophy Blog
It's not like it would screen anyone out.
I'm skeptical it could have any legal enforceability.
And there's always philosophical arguments to be had, anyway, about interpretation and about prioritization of values.
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
I have to agree that the two parties are may be different in style but not in substance.
Comment by ChrisM
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
I agree with communication being a better answer than sybolism and jingoism.
My wife received a 100 page tiny book when she migrated to Australia years ago. I had endless fun reading its take on how to live in Australia.