A great article. It makes me somewhat despondent to see supposedly intelligent people believe the propaganda of Hamas, The truly genocidal fanatics of Gaza.
How can we survive at all without immigration? Our fertility rate in 2025 was 1.77, well below replacement rate. Our healthy economy depends on immigration.
I would say firstly that reducing immigration will make our cities more affordable which will help to raise the indigenous birth rate. Secondly why exactly do we need population growth every year ? How does importing millions of people from third world
Good economics is vital for a healthy society. Many of the problems we are currently experiencing in the West originated in the early 1970’s which coincided with Nixon’s decision to take the $US off the ‘gold standard’ and the world followed. Ever since we have had unlimited credit and with that never ending wars, unfettered migration, bloated bureaucracies, grievance industries flourishing and rent seekers dominating. Money for this and money for that. But, like all other FIAT based systems over millennia this current one will also not fare well. Politicians have elections to win and financial discipline is a nuisance not a virtue. Buy yourself some gold & silver coins to protect yourself somewhat!
Based on my recent research, "What we witnessed was a religion corrupted into a nihilistic cult, where death is sanctified as an oblation to a false god". -- no not a religion corrupted, but the literal interpretation of that religion. It is literally what the Quran and the Hadith say - death is sanctified. After reviewing the Quran and the Hadith I can see exactly why Islamists do what they do. They believe they have been given divine direction. And this is not new, they have been doing it for 1400 years. Muslims who do not follow the teachings of the Quran and Hadith are apostates. They are making individual decisions to deviate from the teachings. When I hear the clerics spewing hatred in their mosques I now know they are just reading from the Quran and the Hadith. The Quran and Hadith are obsessed with other religions, specifically Judaism and Christianity and non-believers generally. No other religion has such an obsession. It is worth reading.
I, too, have read the Quran, Mark, though not the hadith. From my reading, I believe you are right. the Quran was written as the final word of God and is not allowed to be altered in any way. Hard-line or radical Islamists are just following instructions. Those instructions are incompatible with a pluralistic, liberal democracy. I am finding it increasingly difficult to see how Islam can continue to be allowed to exist in the Wetsern world. But I also wonder if it is too late now to take back our history, values and mores.
Secondary school students must be required to read the Quran and Hadith and pass a comprehension test before they are qualified to receive whatever certificate they get these days.
A fine piece of writing that poses confronting questions for Australia at this moment in our history. Sir Robert Menzies, founder of the Liberal Party, is mentioned not just once but several times and herein lies our dilemma: Australia is entirely without a leader that one could call (a) a statesman (b) a conviction politician, as opposed to a careerist (c) a person of strong morals and principles (d) one who has great fortitude and also great courage (e) one who is able to articulate both the problem and the solution to explain why a law must change or be enacted and why we should do what is laid out before us and (e) possess the chemistry that all great leaders must have (e.g. Churchill, Thatcher, Regan, Menzies) which is charisma (that magnetic part of a persons character that naturally exudes leadership, gains respect and authority and appeals equally to men and women) and oratory skills.
We must be honest. The reason the universities and our Federal Governments, the arts and media, even corporates have let us down is because Jew-hatred/antiSemistism exists and probably exists in certain individuals leading us right now in these particular arenas. Albanese cannot bring himself to say certain words or be honest with Australians let alone himself because of likely two reasons: one being the maintenance of Labor's 1,000,000 Muslim voter base (versus a tiny 100,000 Jewish one) and secondly, he quite likely, given his well-documented pro-Palestinian history, is anti Israel and yes, likely antisemitic at heart. There, I've said it: it's my opinion only and of course he can think what he wants privately but - and this is a big 'but', he is supposed to act equally for all Australians and he quite plainly has not and refuses to do so.
Australia's problem is that we have yet to identify the person who will lead us out of the darkness where we are flailing now, hold a mirror up to us and make us face the truth, and clearly, compellingly, honestly and in plain language that resonates, ask us to follow them and maintain support for them while they turn Australia away from the abyss and return us to the country we have lost, where all have opportunity, all have safety, all are able to respect each other, take responsibility for ourselves and be lifters not leaners, generous and kind in conscience and constructive. One who is able to get us to put aside labels such as 'diversity, equity and inclusion' (because labels are no longer necessary and only serve to divide, not unite), and create an Australia where it is not important whether one is female or male, gay or straight, Muslim, Catholic, of no religion or a Jew either by virtue of race, culture or religion.
God bless you, Chris. That baby is the Prince of Peace, Emmanuel, God with us. He came most humbly and shows the might of God as He went to die for us all. In weakness strength is shown.
I pray we all reach out to the Prince of Peace and experience that peace with God.
Thank you for words and hard work during the years. A blessed Christmas to you and yours.
Thank you Chris, for this piece of moral and intellectual clarity. I don't think we should abandon concepts like multiculturalism, inclusion, diversity. But we need a good hard think, and an honest public discussion, about what we mean by those terms. And whether we've applied them equally to all. Spoiler alert: we haven't. Until we do, every 'progressive' slogan we hear from 'intellectuals' about 'diversity', 'humanity', 'rights', 'safety' will have to be accompanied by a little asterisk and a footnote. * ... unless you're Jewish, and/or support the right of Israel to exist.
In situations like this, politicians invoke the Orwellian phrase “social cohesion”, a term that sounds manufactured and is inevitably achieved by force. This article does a far better job of grounding the discussion in our shared history and the Western liberal values that emerged from it. Thank you and Merry Christmas.
Christian, your comments in regard to Islam show that you have no real understanding of what the Quran teaches. Anyone who holds to the teachings of their religion is not compatible with the Australian culture and should not be accepted into this Nation
No-one doubts the moral values of the Sikh community in Australia. They fit in magnificently with the values of an Australia historically founded on Judaeo-Christian values. There have been Muslims in this country almost from Settlement. But the solid base of our value system is Judaeo-Christian. We are now in a time when a flood of- not a trickle - of refugees are entering the system with values that are absolutely opposed to this base, and entering it too fast to be assimilated. They will use the very democracy they despise to overwhelm our traditional culture, gaining the power to subvert diversity, equity and inclusion as well as democracy and the Rule of Law. Just observe what has been happening in Europe and Britain.
“There is too much diversity and too little unity hidden behind bunkum words like multiculturalism”
Like it or not multiculturalism is a well established characteristic of modern Australia that is not going to change. 3rd and 4th generation descendents of migrants often still celbrate their cultures. When you oppose multiculturalism you promote division.
“In this country, as in every Western liberal democracy, they rest on a moral inheritance that is unmistakably Judaeo-Christian, articulated most clearly in the Decalogue. Do not kill. Do not steal.”.
These are commonplace values across numerous cultures. Consider the Sikh community, consistently the most committed to practical charity and who set a great example to the rest of us but whose values do not come grom any Judeo-Christian heritage or from western culture.
“It will be found in the spirit of Bondi: valuing your community above all ”
So you complain about division and a lack of values and conclude by recognising that we actually are united behind community values. What was your real purpose then? Just an excuse to have a dig at multiculturism?
It all depends what you mean by multiculturalism. It has been corrupted by parties of the left that have used it for political advantage, like the branches that Tony Burke is stacking.
It was invented by the Whitlam government and it has been divisive ever since.
Whitlam recognised and acknowledged the reality of modern Australia. It was already a multicultural nation. For the rest, when 30% of the population was born overseas and half the population have at least one parent born overseas, it is hardly surprising that politicians should acknowledge them and seek their support. The left may go too far in seeking support from some minorities but it is better than the right, whose approach is always to divide and seek support from one community by denigrating another, a great way to encourage mutual hatred.
"Like it or not multiculturalism is a well established characteristic of modern Australia that is not going to change."
I don't like it. It will change when we change it just like it was created out of thin air when some stupid fools like you wanted to create it.
"When you oppose multiculturalism you promote division."
Laughable statement. Multiculti says that jews are entitled (nay encouraged) to celebrate their religion, their culture, Israel, Zion etc. Muslims are encouraged to celebrate their religion and their ties to their homelands including the one which is a smoking bomb crater at the moment. How are those two very different public rights to be reconciled ? Are you going to do it, or are you going to leave it up to the police, the dead jews, the army, the future police state ?
Are you willing to act as a guarantor of the multi-culti that you so love ? How much bond will you pay in ? How much per death ?
No doubt, trapped in your echo chamber, you think your views are acceptable. They verge on hate speech and are repulsive to most Australians. Over 70% approve of multiculturalism. You come across as a miserable old bastard whose anger originates in their own life but is deflected towards any available target. Your anger and hatred are disturbingly close to those that drive hate crimes like Bondi. I sincerely hope you do not own any guns.
As I said 70% support multiculturalism. You are an outlier focused on creating divisions which largely do not exist outside your paranoid view. I do not need to do anything. Maybe you missed this
Community leaders will work to reduce tensions, as they always do. Community members will report their concerns about radicalised individuals as they have been doing for decades. The triumph of terrorists is to
produce the type of reaction you display; emphasising division and stoking fear. If you don’t like multiculturalism there are lots of areas in Australia which are Anglo dominated.
A great article. It makes me somewhat despondent to see supposedly intelligent people believe the propaganda of Hamas, The truly genocidal fanatics of Gaza.
‘It now falls to Australian Muslim citizens, with our support, to deal with the extremism in their community.’
And, equally pertinent in my view, for the radical Left element in the Australian community to stop rationalising and pandering to this same group.
Merry Christmas
Well said
Five pillars of peace, freedom and prosperity.
https://rafechampion.substack.com/p/rebadging-the-liberals
First, critical rationalism, a la Karl Popper. You may be right, and I may be wrong, and with an effort we may be able to get nearer the truth.
Second, in politics, the principles of classical or non-collectivist liberalism.
Third, good economics and the market order with free trade tempered by sensible regulations that don’t reward rent-seeking by special interests.
Fourth, a robust moral framework including honesty, compassion, civility, personal responsibility, community service, and enterprise.
Fifth, abundant, reliable, and cheap energy.
Yeah that would all be nice
But how about just stop immigration
How can we survive at all without immigration? Our fertility rate in 2025 was 1.77, well below replacement rate. Our healthy economy depends on immigration.
I would say firstly that reducing immigration will make our cities more affordable which will help to raise the indigenous birth rate. Secondly why exactly do we need population growth every year ? How does importing millions of people from third world
countries help my standard of living ?
Good economics is vital for a healthy society. Many of the problems we are currently experiencing in the West originated in the early 1970’s which coincided with Nixon’s decision to take the $US off the ‘gold standard’ and the world followed. Ever since we have had unlimited credit and with that never ending wars, unfettered migration, bloated bureaucracies, grievance industries flourishing and rent seekers dominating. Money for this and money for that. But, like all other FIAT based systems over millennia this current one will also not fare well. Politicians have elections to win and financial discipline is a nuisance not a virtue. Buy yourself some gold & silver coins to protect yourself somewhat!
Based on my recent research, "What we witnessed was a religion corrupted into a nihilistic cult, where death is sanctified as an oblation to a false god". -- no not a religion corrupted, but the literal interpretation of that religion. It is literally what the Quran and the Hadith say - death is sanctified. After reviewing the Quran and the Hadith I can see exactly why Islamists do what they do. They believe they have been given divine direction. And this is not new, they have been doing it for 1400 years. Muslims who do not follow the teachings of the Quran and Hadith are apostates. They are making individual decisions to deviate from the teachings. When I hear the clerics spewing hatred in their mosques I now know they are just reading from the Quran and the Hadith. The Quran and Hadith are obsessed with other religions, specifically Judaism and Christianity and non-believers generally. No other religion has such an obsession. It is worth reading.
I, too, have read the Quran, Mark, though not the hadith. From my reading, I believe you are right. the Quran was written as the final word of God and is not allowed to be altered in any way. Hard-line or radical Islamists are just following instructions. Those instructions are incompatible with a pluralistic, liberal democracy. I am finding it increasingly difficult to see how Islam can continue to be allowed to exist in the Wetsern world. But I also wonder if it is too late now to take back our history, values and mores.
Secondary school students must be required to read the Quran and Hadith and pass a comprehension test before they are qualified to receive whatever certificate they get these days.
A fine piece of writing that poses confronting questions for Australia at this moment in our history. Sir Robert Menzies, founder of the Liberal Party, is mentioned not just once but several times and herein lies our dilemma: Australia is entirely without a leader that one could call (a) a statesman (b) a conviction politician, as opposed to a careerist (c) a person of strong morals and principles (d) one who has great fortitude and also great courage (e) one who is able to articulate both the problem and the solution to explain why a law must change or be enacted and why we should do what is laid out before us and (e) possess the chemistry that all great leaders must have (e.g. Churchill, Thatcher, Regan, Menzies) which is charisma (that magnetic part of a persons character that naturally exudes leadership, gains respect and authority and appeals equally to men and women) and oratory skills.
We must be honest. The reason the universities and our Federal Governments, the arts and media, even corporates have let us down is because Jew-hatred/antiSemistism exists and probably exists in certain individuals leading us right now in these particular arenas. Albanese cannot bring himself to say certain words or be honest with Australians let alone himself because of likely two reasons: one being the maintenance of Labor's 1,000,000 Muslim voter base (versus a tiny 100,000 Jewish one) and secondly, he quite likely, given his well-documented pro-Palestinian history, is anti Israel and yes, likely antisemitic at heart. There, I've said it: it's my opinion only and of course he can think what he wants privately but - and this is a big 'but', he is supposed to act equally for all Australians and he quite plainly has not and refuses to do so.
Australia's problem is that we have yet to identify the person who will lead us out of the darkness where we are flailing now, hold a mirror up to us and make us face the truth, and clearly, compellingly, honestly and in plain language that resonates, ask us to follow them and maintain support for them while they turn Australia away from the abyss and return us to the country we have lost, where all have opportunity, all have safety, all are able to respect each other, take responsibility for ourselves and be lifters not leaners, generous and kind in conscience and constructive. One who is able to get us to put aside labels such as 'diversity, equity and inclusion' (because labels are no longer necessary and only serve to divide, not unite), and create an Australia where it is not important whether one is female or male, gay or straight, Muslim, Catholic, of no religion or a Jew either by virtue of race, culture or religion.
God bless you, Chris. That baby is the Prince of Peace, Emmanuel, God with us. He came most humbly and shows the might of God as He went to die for us all. In weakness strength is shown.
I pray we all reach out to the Prince of Peace and experience that peace with God.
Thank you for words and hard work during the years. A blessed Christmas to you and yours.
Thank you Chris, for this piece of moral and intellectual clarity. I don't think we should abandon concepts like multiculturalism, inclusion, diversity. But we need a good hard think, and an honest public discussion, about what we mean by those terms. And whether we've applied them equally to all. Spoiler alert: we haven't. Until we do, every 'progressive' slogan we hear from 'intellectuals' about 'diversity', 'humanity', 'rights', 'safety' will have to be accompanied by a little asterisk and a footnote. * ... unless you're Jewish, and/or support the right of Israel to exist.
Multiculturalism is fine. Diversity is fine.
But Inclusion is only fine … if the included don’t want to exclude others.
On 14 December, 15 people were subjected to the ultimate 'exclusion.'
In situations like this, politicians invoke the Orwellian phrase “social cohesion”, a term that sounds manufactured and is inevitably achieved by force. This article does a far better job of grounding the discussion in our shared history and the Western liberal values that emerged from it. Thank you and Merry Christmas.
Christian, your comments in regard to Islam show that you have no real understanding of what the Quran teaches. Anyone who holds to the teachings of their religion is not compatible with the Australian culture and should not be accepted into this Nation
No-one doubts the moral values of the Sikh community in Australia. They fit in magnificently with the values of an Australia historically founded on Judaeo-Christian values. There have been Muslims in this country almost from Settlement. But the solid base of our value system is Judaeo-Christian. We are now in a time when a flood of- not a trickle - of refugees are entering the system with values that are absolutely opposed to this base, and entering it too fast to be assimilated. They will use the very democracy they despise to overwhelm our traditional culture, gaining the power to subvert diversity, equity and inclusion as well as democracy and the Rule of Law. Just observe what has been happening in Europe and Britain.
✝️🙏
🎄
“There is too much diversity and too little unity hidden behind bunkum words like multiculturalism”
Like it or not multiculturalism is a well established characteristic of modern Australia that is not going to change. 3rd and 4th generation descendents of migrants often still celbrate their cultures. When you oppose multiculturalism you promote division.
“In this country, as in every Western liberal democracy, they rest on a moral inheritance that is unmistakably Judaeo-Christian, articulated most clearly in the Decalogue. Do not kill. Do not steal.”.
These are commonplace values across numerous cultures. Consider the Sikh community, consistently the most committed to practical charity and who set a great example to the rest of us but whose values do not come grom any Judeo-Christian heritage or from western culture.
“It will be found in the spirit of Bondi: valuing your community above all ”
So you complain about division and a lack of values and conclude by recognising that we actually are united behind community values. What was your real purpose then? Just an excuse to have a dig at multiculturism?
It all depends what you mean by multiculturalism. It has been corrupted by parties of the left that have used it for political advantage, like the branches that Tony Burke is stacking.
It was invented by the Whitlam government and it has been divisive ever since.
Whitlam recognised and acknowledged the reality of modern Australia. It was already a multicultural nation. For the rest, when 30% of the population was born overseas and half the population have at least one parent born overseas, it is hardly surprising that politicians should acknowledge them and seek their support. The left may go too far in seeking support from some minorities but it is better than the right, whose approach is always to divide and seek support from one community by denigrating another, a great way to encourage mutual hatred.
"Like it or not multiculturalism is a well established characteristic of modern Australia that is not going to change."
I don't like it. It will change when we change it just like it was created out of thin air when some stupid fools like you wanted to create it.
"When you oppose multiculturalism you promote division."
Laughable statement. Multiculti says that jews are entitled (nay encouraged) to celebrate their religion, their culture, Israel, Zion etc. Muslims are encouraged to celebrate their religion and their ties to their homelands including the one which is a smoking bomb crater at the moment. How are those two very different public rights to be reconciled ? Are you going to do it, or are you going to leave it up to the police, the dead jews, the army, the future police state ?
Are you willing to act as a guarantor of the multi-culti that you so love ? How much bond will you pay in ? How much per death ?
Lol.
No doubt, trapped in your echo chamber, you think your views are acceptable. They verge on hate speech and are repulsive to most Australians. Over 70% approve of multiculturalism. You come across as a miserable old bastard whose anger originates in their own life but is deflected towards any available target. Your anger and hatred are disturbingly close to those that drive hate crimes like Bondi. I sincerely hope you do not own any guns.
Quite a spray there buddy. Did you get that off the back of a cracker box ?
Great policy you’ve got there. Whenever anyone criticizes it you scream « hate speech ».
And not one answer to my question.
Pathetic
As I said 70% support multiculturalism. You are an outlier focused on creating divisions which largely do not exist outside your paranoid view. I do not need to do anything. Maybe you missed this
https://www.news.com.au/technology/online/were-all-in-this-together-viral-moment-of-unity-in-wake-of-bondi-massacre/news-story/6ac745f7ac3b71fbffd3c3d66913d962?amp
Community leaders will work to reduce tensions, as they always do. Community members will report their concerns about radicalised individuals as they have been doing for decades. The triumph of terrorists is to
produce the type of reaction you display; emphasising division and stoking fear. If you don’t like multiculturalism there are lots of areas in Australia which are Anglo dominated.
Your chosen name says eveything.