澳洲統計局剛發表統計, 澳洲人口中有31.5%是在澳洲以外地區出生的移民, 撇除開約6%從英國、新西蘭來的, 表示有超過25%的移民是從非民主管治國家來定居澳洲。最近澳洲聯邦選舉, 自由黨及工黨合在一起的得票率持續下降, 不少邊緣議席, 多元文化族裔對政黨的認同, 主導著選舉結果, 可見這群非本地出生的移民, 在澳洲政治中扮演著重要角色。

兩大政黨的調研, 都顯示移民社區較多支持工黨。原因很明顯, 工黨政策傾向支持移民社區推動多元文化發展及與這些移民社區領袖建立更密切的關係, 起著了極大的影響力。工黨較接受移民在澳洲開始新生活時, 需要幫助,移民社區也較積極向工黨爭取支持, 自由黨若對這情況視而不見, 不作出調整, 在未來更難在移民社區中推動自己的理念, 可以說翻盤必然失敗。

客觀的來說, 沒有多少移民會關心政黨的理念及政治主張。實際上, 這25%的第一代移民在原居地都沒有多少政治權利或參與議政機會。成為澳洲公民之後, 他們知道自己一定要投票, 履行公民權利及責任, 不過澳洲社會卻從未教導他們該如何去選擇, 投出自己神聖的一票。

要知道今天世界已變成知識型社會, 新生進入大學或是新成員加入企業, 新生輔導及職場文化融合變得重要。澳洲政府沒有向長期在極權國家長大的新移民提供參與民主社會經歷, 是極度危險更可能令到社會瓦解危機增加。沒有在少數族裔媒體推動民主歷程及融入澳洲, 任由移民長期受到原居地媒體影響, 只會減慢移民融入澳洲的速度, 是對澳洲社會發展極為不利。

今天的移民, 特別是華裔移民, 多是高學歷的一群, 他們來到澳洲, 原是可以很快成為澳洲社會及經濟發展的動力。澳洲社會若推動融合文化發展(Interculturalism), 主動利用新移民的國際視野及與原居地社會關係,發展澳洲服務業, 輸出全世界, 更能推動澳洲經濟發展。

是時候澳洲社會要「現代化」,不單止從世界各地吸納對社會有貢獻的精英定居, 更要提供更多給移民的支持, 讓他們成為社會發展的支柱。這些支持並不是給移民特殊的福利(客觀的說移民中倚頼社會福利的比例並不高), 而是一個社會人才融入的短線投資, 是任何一個政黨都不能忽略的。

周偉文, 社長

Investing in an integrating InterCultural Society

The Australian Bureau of Statistics recently released data showing that 31.5% of Australia’s population are immigrants born outside of Australia. Excluding about 6% who came from the UK and New Zealand, this means that over 25% are from countries not governed by democratic regimes. In the recent Australian federal election, the combined vote share of the Liberal and Labor parties continued to decline. In many marginal seats, the affiliation of multicultural communities with political parties determined the election outcome. This shows that immigrants who were not born in Australia now play an important role in Australian politics.

Research from both major parties shows that immigrant communities tend to support the Labor Party. The reason is clear: Labor’s policies lean toward promoting multicultural development and establishing closer relationships with leaders of immigrant communities, these had made strong impacts. Labor is more accepting of the fact that immigrants need assistance when starting a new life in Australia, and immigrant communities are also more proactive in seeking support from Labor. If the Liberal Party ignores this reality and does not make adjustments, it will find it increasingly difficult to promote its ideals within immigrant communities in the future—losing ground is almost inevitable.

Objectively speaking, not many immigrants pay close attention to party ideologies or political platforms. In fact, these 25% of immigrants often had little political power or opportunities for political participation in their countries of origin. After becoming Australian citizens, they know they are required to vote as part of their civic duties and rights, but Australian society has never taught them how to choose or how to cast their sacred vote.

We must understand that today’s world has become a knowledge-based society. When students enter the university or new members join a company, orientation and workplace cultural integration are important. If new immigrants—many of whom grew up in authoritarian countries—are not given exposures in democratic processes, it is extremely dangerous and could even increase the risk of societal disintegration. Without promoting democratic engagement and integration into Australian society through ethnic minority media, and allowing immigrants to remain under the influence of their original homeland’s media, the outcome is to slow down their integration into Australia, which is extremely detrimental to Australia’s long-term social development.

Today’s immigrants, especially Chinese immigrants, are generally highly educated. When they come to Australia, they have the potential to quickly become a driving force for Australia’s social and economic development. If Australia promotes integrating interculturalism—actively leveraging the international visions and homeland connections of new immigrants as to develop its service industries and to enhance global export—it can further stimulate economic growth.

It is time for Australian society to “modernize”: not only by attracting talented individuals from around the world who can contribute to society, but also by providing more support to immigrants so they can become pillars of societal development. This support is not about giving special welfare benefits (honestly, the proportion of such immigrants who rely on social welfare is not high), but rather an instant investment in their social integration—one that no political party can afford to ignore.

Mr. Raymond Chow, Publisher