The Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia (GOCSA) has issued a strong defence of multiculturalism following comments by One Nation leader Pauline Hanson advocating for a “monocultural” Australia.
In a statement, the organisation said Australia’s prosperity and social cohesion have been built on a combination of shared democratic values and cultural diversity, arguing that migrant communities have strengthened rather than weakened the nation.
Drawing on the experiences of generations of Greek Australians, GOCSA rejected suggestions that multiculturalism has failed and warned against attempts to divide Australians along ethnic, cultural or religious lines.
Full statement in English:
The Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia (GOCSA) rejects calls to abandon multiculturalism and replace it with a so-called “monocultural” Australia.
Australia’s success as one of the world’s most stable, prosperous and harmonious nations has been built on a foundation of shared democratic values combined with respect for cultural diversity. For generations, Greek Australians have proudly contributed to this nation while preserving our language, faith, traditions and heritage. We are Australians by citizenship, loyalty and commitment, and Greek by culture and history.
These identities are not contradictory, they strengthen one another. Recent comments by One Nation leader Pauline Hanson advocating a “monocultural” Australia represent a misunderstanding of the very qualities that have made modern Australia a success. Senator Hanson has argued that Australia should be “monocultural” rather than multicultural, claiming multiculturalism has failed.
The Greek community knows from experience that multiculturalism is not a threat to Australia; it is one of Australia’s greatest achievements. It has allowed migrant communities to integrate into Australian society while enriching the nation’s cultural, economic and social life.
Greek Australians have helped build businesses, schools, churches, charities and community organisations that benefit all Australians. Our parents and grandparents arrived in Australia seeking opportunity and freedom. They worked hard, embraced Australian values and became part of the national story without being asked to abandon their heritage.
The preservation of the Greek language, Orthodox faith and cultural traditions has strengthened—not weakened— our commitment to Australia.
A monocultural society would diminish the contributions of millions of Australians whose families came from Greece, Italy, Lebanon, Vietnam, China, India and countless other nations. It would ignore the reality that modern Australia is enriched by diversity while united by shared respect for democracy, the rule of law, equality and mutual respect.
The Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia stands firmly in support of Australia’s Indigenous heritage, multiculturalism, social cohesion, and an inclusive society that respects and values all its people. We reject attempts to divide Australians along ethnic, cultural or religious lines.
Australia’s future lies not in forcing people to abandon their heritage, but in fostering a society where different cultures can flourish together under a common commitment to Australian values.
Our diversity is not a weakness. It is one of our nation’s greatest strengths.
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