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Australia's diversity challenge

Australians have to learn that you can't live in a neighbourhood and just do business with the neighbours and not want to interact with them socially or understand their cultural perpsective. I meet too many Australians who come on a holiday to Asia or travel here for business but don't live here who show a pitiful amount of understanding of different Asian cultures or their political situations. Imagine a Belgian who knew nothing of the neighbouring countries, their politics or cultures (other than Luxembourg maybe) and you have a geographic equivalent of the absurdity of the average level of Australian disinterest in and ignorance about Asia. Many Asians are now rich enough not to be very impressed by Australia and their countries economically and militarily significant enough not to be interested in listening to Australian sermonising on many topics any more. Australia's economic future and security are dependent on properly understanding and getting on with our neighbours. If not, the future may well be very rough and Australia will have no close neighbours willing to help.

12-Dec-2012

2:09 am