The mythical ‘monoculture’ has never existed

Australia’s multicultural success story stands in stark contrast to the nostalgic myth of a monocultural past that never actually existed, writes Craig Hill.

EVERY TIME someone argues that Australia should abandon multiculturalism and return to its imaginary monocultural past. Senator Pauline Hanson He built much of his political career around this idea.

I simply don’t believe this will work, and my own life experiences over the last 40 years have convinced me that multiculturalism is one of Australia’s greatest strengths.

The first problem is that the monocultural Australia some talk about never actually existed. Long before European settlement, dating back 60,000 years, this continent was inhabited by hundreds of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nations, each with their own languages, customs and traditions.

Later, immigrants came from England, Ireland, China, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Africa and every corner of the world. Modern Australia was shaped by successive waves of migration over 250 years.

There are no successful modern nations built on the idea of complete cultural isolation. The closest example would be North Korea, and few would seriously suggest Australia follow that path. The world’s most prosperous countries are those that trade, innovate, welcome talent and interact with the world. I have also seen firsthand the benefits of multiculturalism.

My wife was a senior manager in Iran National Oil Company Before coming to Australia. Despite many misconceptions people have about Iran, women hold senior professional positions there. He did not get the opportunity due to special treatment; He earned these through his talent and hard work.

His extended family tells similar stories. One of his cousins and his partner both have a master’s degree in Information Technology. Because they have valuable skills, they found jobs in Australia through competitive recruitment processes.

Another cousin was a well-known entertainer and sound technician in Iran. Today he continues to perform at community events in both Iran and Australia. His wife works in elderly care and also runs a catering company in Iran. They have developed specialist skills that have enriched Australian society while building successful careers.

Through my wife’s family and many friends in Brisbane’s Iranian community, I met doctors, teachers, mechanics, builders, engineers, business owners and skilled tradesmen. They compete for jobs just like everyone else does. They work, pay taxes, raise families and contribute to local communities. I don’t know anyone among them who just sits back and trusts in prosperity. Their success comes from education, determination and hard work.

This directly contradicts the claim that immigrants are taking jobs from Australians. Jobs are not given because someone was born abroad. In most cases, they are rewarded because the employer believes the applicant is the best person for the position. This is how a competitive labor market works.

I have also seen this from another perspective throughout my teaching career. I have taught English as a Second Language and business courses to international students for many years. Many arrived speaking English as their second or third language. They have worked incredibly hard to develop their communication skills while completing challenging qualifications.

Many have progressed to supervisory and management positions because they demonstrate the knowledge, experience and leadership employers seek. Again, this is not someone taking advantage of someone else’s opportunity. Being rewarded is merit.

My experiences working with indigenous communities have taught me equally important lessons. I spent years teaching TAFE qualifications in Indigenous communities and holding management positions in remote areas. Those years gave me a great respect for Indigenous cultures, histories, and knowledge systems. I learned much more than I taught.

Like any large government-funded system, I have also observed examples where public money is not always used as effectively as it should be. During my employment, I submitted audit reports to the Federal Government identifying governance concerns.

In my experience, mismanagement was not something that could be blamed solely on Indigenous people. Much of the mismanagement of money came from government departments. center connection. Blaming the entire community instead ignores the complexity of these problems.

Perhaps the greatest gift that multicultural Australia has given me is perspective. Growing up in rural Australia in the 1960s and 1970s, my world was relatively narrow. Today, after working with people from dozens of different cultures for almost three decades, I see the world very differently.

I shared dishes that I never dreamed of eating as a child. I celebrated festivals I didn’t know existed. I listened to music from around the world, learned about different religious traditions, and discovered completely new ways of thinking about family, community, and success.

Every culture sees the world through a unique lens. Rather than threatening Australia, these different perspectives have enriched my own life beyond anything my Anglo-Saxon upbringing alone could have provided.

Australia today is a much more vibrant country than the one I remember growing up. Our restaurants, businesses, universities, hospitals, sports clubs and workplaces benefit from people who bring together different experiences, ideas and talents.

Over the past four decades, Australia has developed one of the world’s highest standards of living and one of the strongest, most resilient economies. This success did not occur despite multiculturalism. It happened with him. So why would we want to throw this away?

Why leave a system that has produced economic growth, innovation, and one of the most successful multicultural democracies in the world in pursuit of a mythical monoculture that never existed? Rather, Australia’s future depends on it continuing to attract talented people from around the world, while preserving the democratic values, justice and equality that unite us all.

I’ve lived long enough to know that diversity does not weaken Australia. It makes us stronger.

If you would like to examine the evidence further, I have produced a podcast episode fact-checking ten of Pauline Hanson’s claims about multiculturalism, immigration and Australian society. You can watch it below.

Craig Hill is a writer, journalist and business consultant based in Brisbane. He is the author of Doctor Who and Star Trek episode companions. He was the Cannabis Legalization Party candidate for the Queensland seat of Bonner in the 2025 Federal Election. You can follow Craig on X/Twitter @CraigHill01.

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