In Reply to: Rangatira you have some valid posted by luvthe NT on Thursday, 6. December 2007 at 07:06 Bali Time:
at "Migrants have filled the gap in unskilled labour that AUS are just too darn lazy to do."
That's a value judgment with no basis in fact. Australians aren't lazy or at least they are no more or less lazy than any other nationality. I don't believe it's been an issue of Australians being too lazy to do unskilled labour - it's been an issue of availability of work in any form for some people that was in easy distance of their homes - public transport particularly in rural or semi-rural areas is vitrually non-existent.
My parents migrated to Australia in 1952 as part of the "ten pound" programme. Pommies in those days were viewed as "whingers" and that perception was partially based on their attitudes to the country and their home-sickness. My own parents worked at unskilled jobs until they got on their feet and found their way around, then my Dad moved back into his trade as a builder and Mum as a cook.
Racisim is rife everywhere you go. Whether it's Australians having a crack at Kiwi's, Balanese at Javanese, and so on. This is never going to change until people the world over learn to see past religion and cultural differences and understand that people are people. We all value our children, we all love our families, we all strive for a better life - some people just can't see beyond the artificial borders painted on a map or the reality that everyone has a right to their own opinions and belief.
Everybody bleeds red blood - some people are just less tolerant than others. I think the aim is not to be part of the intolerance. The sooner people learn to get along and accept each others differences the better - just hope I live to see the day.