I don't see any need for Australia to give up the things we value about this country, such as the rule of law, human rights and parliamentary democracy, to become part of Asia. These are among the positive reasons so many want to emigrate to Australia. We can keep these positives while also developing mutually- beneficial relationships with Asia. We don't have to copy Asia to be part of Asia. We can keep our identity while also becoming better-connected. We can have it all.
Thinking afterwards, I should have mentioned our excellent Foreign Minister Penny Wong, whose family background is Malaysian, when discussing our links with Asia. I'm a fan of Wong - I reckon she's very impressive.
Yes, no worries. Appreciate your feedback. I may not have been quite as precise as desirable.
I believe it's correct that when the first Aborigines came here about 65,000 years ago, there was about 500kms of ocean to cross from Timor to Australia. Is that correct?
We certainly fought for freedom. It's also true there was a lot of anti-Japanese feeling, which is understandable. But don't you think we're more Asian than we used to be? Can we be peacefully at home in Asia while keeping the best of our European heritage? Maybe we've reached a happy point halfway in between? What do you think?
Sorry to be a pedant. Sahul (Australia plus New Guinea and nearby Islands) was separated from Sundaland (South East Asia plus the main islands of Indonesia) during the last Ice Age 65,000-10,000 years ago. The last time you could have walked from Asia to Australia would have been during the age of the supercontinent Pangea 250 million years ago.
I don't see any need for Australia to give up the things we value about this country, such as the rule of law, human rights and parliamentary democracy, to become part of Asia. These are among the positive reasons so many want to emigrate to Australia. We can keep these positives while also developing mutually- beneficial relationships with Asia. We don't have to copy Asia to be part of Asia. We can keep our identity while also becoming better-connected. We can have it all.
Thinking afterwards, I should have mentioned our excellent Foreign Minister Penny Wong, whose family background is Malaysian, when discussing our links with Asia. I'm a fan of Wong - I reckon she's very impressive.
Yes, no worries. Appreciate your feedback. I may not have been quite as precise as desirable.
I believe it's correct that when the first Aborigines came here about 65,000 years ago, there was about 500kms of ocean to cross from Timor to Australia. Is that correct?
Sahul was much older, of course.
Australia is not an Asian country. It fought not to be one.
We certainly fought for freedom. It's also true there was a lot of anti-Japanese feeling, which is understandable. But don't you think we're more Asian than we used to be? Can we be peacefully at home in Asia while keeping the best of our European heritage? Maybe we've reached a happy point halfway in between? What do you think?
If you are as ignorant of your own culture and history as most Australians are you have nothing to offer anyone else.
Yes, we certainly would benefit from a greater education in civics to understand how our society works and the history of that.
Nope. Quite well informed.
Most Australians get nothing in school these days about the emergence of their rights in English history.
Sorry to be a pedant. Sahul (Australia plus New Guinea and nearby Islands) was separated from Sundaland (South East Asia plus the main islands of Indonesia) during the last Ice Age 65,000-10,000 years ago. The last time you could have walked from Asia to Australia would have been during the age of the supercontinent Pangea 250 million years ago.
More generally, what do you think about Australia's place in Asia? Do you agree with my score of 5:10? How would you rate it?