The Forgotten Father of Multicultural Australia

When Tony Abbott declared multiculturalism a failure, he sparked outrage among Liberals who remembered the party’s earlier championing of diversity and inclusion. However, this shift in attitude wasn’t solely the result of Labor governments. In fact, it was a Liberal prime minister, Robert Menzies, who laid the groundwork for Australia’s multicultural society.

Menzies’ childhood experiences had a profound impact on his views. As the son of James Menzies, a state MP who defended German settlers during World War I, young Robert learned the importance of liberal tolerance and acceptance. This was evident in his 1942 radio broadcast condemning racial hatred towards the Japanese, where he argued that “it is an offence to an honest citizen to imagine that the cold, evil and repulsive spirit of racial hatred must be substituted for… a noble and decent cause.”

Menzies’ approach to immigration reform was incremental but deliberate. He recognized that the “White Australia policy” enjoyed strong public support, so he focused on dismantling administrative barriers around non-European migration. His ministers did most of the heavy lifting in this regard, and by the time Gough Whitlam’s government came along, it was already a dead letter.

Menzies’ influence extended beyond policy to shaping Australia’s cultural identity through his words and actions. In 1963, when laying the foundation stone of the Kew Jewish Centre, he emphasized preserving individual cultures within the broader Australian community. “There are a lot of people you will encounter who think that we all ought to be the same,” he said. “What we need in Australia is that every person coming from some particular race or faith who comes into the Australian community should retain his quality in that sense, but should add it to the qualities of all the other people in the community…”

This vision for a culturally tolerant Australia was not unique to Menzies. His Liberal colleagues, including Malcolm Fraser, built upon this foundation through initiatives like the creation of SBS and the adoption of multiculturalism as official policy. It’s a testament to the power of liberal ideology that even in an era marked by anti-immigrant sentiment, Australian governments continued to prioritize diversity and inclusion.

The shift towards rejecting multiculturalism within the Liberal Party lies not in any inherent flaws in the policy itself but rather in changing values and attitudes within the party. As the party’s stance on immigration has shifted over the years, so too have its leaders’ understanding of what it means to be Australian.

The irony is that Abbott’s rejection of multiculturalism comes at a time when his own party is reeling from internal conflicts over identity politics. Some Liberals are still clinging to a nostalgic vision of Australia as a monocultural society, one where diversity is seen as a threat rather than an asset. However, for those who remember the early days of Australian multiculturalism, it’s clear that this vision was always a lie.

In reality, the story of Australian multiculturalism is one of gradual progress and incremental change. It’s a testament to the power of liberal ideology and the importance of preserving individual cultures within the broader community. As Australia moves forward into an increasingly globalized world, it’s more important than ever that we remember this history and continue to champion diversity and inclusion.

The legacy of Robert Menzies serves as a reminder that even in unexpected places, there are heroes who fight for what is right. In his own words, “a noble and decent cause” is one that transcends party politics and speaks directly to our values as Australians. As we move forward into an uncertain future, let us hold fast to this vision of a culturally tolerant Australia, where diversity is celebrated rather than feared.

Can we really afford to forget the lessons of history? Or will we continue down the path of nostalgia, clinging to a bygone era that never truly existed? Only time will tell.