A Thought on Immigration

This is 4-year-old me in 1989, a fresh immigrant to Australia from Zimbabwe. The son of fourth generation Irish convicts to the colony of Rhodesia.

At primary school assemblies in the 90’s we sang ‘I am Australian’ by The Seekers. “We are one, but we are many, and from all the lands on earth we come, we'll share a dream and sing with one voice, I am, you are, we are Australian."

Today, my Russian born German wife and our two children live in a tri-lingual household. Our street neighbours are from Egypt, New Zealand, Holland, South Africa, Bangladesh and both white and indigenous Australians. We live with care and peace alongside each other. This is the culture of Australia. I believe it is also the fabric of what eternity will look like; people from every tribe, creed and language united in Jesus.

I am committed to the work of bridging the cultural barriers that exist in modern Australia - there are many. I will stand against any form of racism that hinders our national hope of being a thriving multicultural society.