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PRIME MINISTER
FOR PRESS 25 MARCH 1979
GREEK NATIONAL INDEPENDENCE DAY
I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to
speak on Greek National Independence Day, on the 158th anniversary
of the beginning of the Greek war of independence against the
Ottoman Empire.
The indomitable spirit that motivated the Greeks to throw off the.
foreign yoke after centuries of subjugation has been admired by
all those who believe in man's unbreakable commitment to freedom,
in the capacity for heroism and the willingness to fight against
the odds. This spirit has been shown again and again, in the
course of Greek history. It was clear in the second world war
when Greece's fight against the vastly superior Fascist and Nazi
forces set an example for the world, and in that war Australians
and Greeks fought side by side in the defence of liberty.
Today gives us an opportunity to reflect on the contribution that
the Greeks have made to the world, and to Austra2ia. This
contribution is manifest in the city states of Ancient Greece,
in the supremely influential ideas of the Ancient Greeks: in
philosophy, science, history, literature and politics; in the
array of such great men as Homer, Socrates, Plato, Archimedes
and Sophocles; in the marvels of Byzantium. All of this is not
just history it is a living part of the spirit of Western man,
a spirit which is intrinsic to our every day lives, fundamental
to our highest aspirations.
Australia as part of Western civilization would owe a debt to the
Greeks for these inestimable contributions, even if not a single
Greek had migrated to this country. But Australia's debt goes
much deeper, for today there are some 300,000 people of Greek
origin in Australia.
Australia has long offered to people of all nations the freedom
and opportunity to build a better life for themselves and their
children. The Greeks of Australia have taken this opportunity,
and contributed to every sphere of Australian life: to the
professions, to the arts, to industry and commerce. The contribution
that the Greeks have made has earned them the respect of other
Australians. Nothing can undermine this respect. It has been
earned by the hard work and the sacrifices of tens of thousands
of Greeks in this country. It is not open to doubt or to
denigration. This is my Government's-unequivocal position, and
there should be no doubt about it.
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Migration moving away from accustomed surroundings, from family
and friends is not an easy thing. Once the decision is taken and
migration takes place, there are new problems to confront. Few
native-born Australians in their lifetime have to face the same
psychological and social stresses, the difficulties involved in
adjusting to a new society and an alien language.
I believe that it is only recently that sufficient recognition
has emerged amongst the wider Australian society of the tremendous
problems and traumas migrants face, and that not enough was done
in the past to assist migrants during their most difficult postarrival
period. I believe that a great step forward has been
taken to remedy that situation by the Government accepting the
recommendations of the Galbally report on post-arrival services
to migrants. As a result of the report the Government is committed
to spending an additional $ 50 million over three years, and to
consult migrants on implementation.
We believe that consultation is critical because migrants, and
very notably the Greeks, have been able to establish a network
of community institutions: churches, schools, newspapers, welfare
societies, brotherhoods and sports bodies. These institutions,
growing out of a determination to preserve valued aspects of the
Greek heritage, have smoothed the difficult process of adjustment
into Australian society. Far from being a barrier to the
integration of Greeks into Australian society, they have helped
that process, and enriched Australia as a whole.
Today, Australia has developed a vibrant multi-cultural society,
and this Government is committed to the right of Ethnic groups
to maintain their Ethnic languages and cultures, and committed
to promoting a greater understanding and tolerance amongst all
Australians. Recognising the importance of the Media in an multi-cultural
society, we are expanding Ethnic radio and will introduce Ethnic
T. V. The pilot programmes on Ethnic T. V. will begin in Sydney
and Melbourne late next month or early May, and provide Ethnic
communities with the opportunity to participate in and comment
on the form of the future service.
The Galbally report recommended that the National Ethnic
Broadcasting Advisory Council undertake a series of public
consultations with respect to the development of Ethnic T. V.
It has now become clear that members of the Council are unable
to devote the necessary time to carry out this recommendation.
I am happy to announce that the Government is establishing a
Consultative Committee on Ethnic to carry out the
consultations envisaged in the Galbally report. It will comprise
Mr Frank Galbally; Mr Keith Cairns, a director of the Herald-Sun
T. V. Pty. Ltd., Melbourne; and Miss Paula Masselos, a social worker
with the Greek Orthodox Community of St. George in Brisbane.
The Government is also firmly of the view that Australia will
benefit from our Ethnic communities maintaining and renewing their
ties with their families and friends overseas. At the moment we
are negotiating cheaper air fares to Greece, which will greatly / 3
3
help people wishing to visit Greece. We hope to be able to
conclude an agreement in the near future.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the fact that the Greek National Day is
celebrated by the leaders of the Liberal and Labor parties,
people whose origins are not Greek, underscores an important
fact about contemporary Australian Society. There is now general
recognition in this country that one can love Australia and be
an effective member of Australian society while retaining an
affection and preserving the cultural heritage of one's country
of origin.
For many years it was believed by many people that to really
become an Australian a migrant had to abandon the heritage
of the country in which he was born and submerge himself in
what were regarded as the essential characteristics of the
Anglo-Saxon majority. Those days of Anglo-Saxon conformity
are gone, and we are all better off for that.
Before the great postwar migration, Australia might have been
regarded as a rather insular Anglo-Saxon society, but since then
tens of thousands of people from Greece and many other nations
have contributed to our material well being and to fashioning
a distinctive Australian culture out of the best that many
cultures have to offer. We are a better society for that.
As Australians, all of us are participating in the evolution
of a greater nation.