We are all boat people.

My husband wrote the following piece before the last election, when the issue of 'boat people' was just as prominant. I think it is still as relevant today as it was then.

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Who are we? What is a true Australian?

Many years ago my Pop and Noona left Italy to escape Musilini's fascist regime to come to Australia. My mother's family, originally from Northern Ireland, emigrated from London after many years of dealing with the German bombing blitz. From these personally and psychologically devestating situations, Australia recieved my family, all of whom arrived on boats.

My ancestors, along with many other immigrants, from many other countries throughout the globe, gave everything to their new adobted home. They worked hard and copped a lot of flak from the locals. My Pop often said (in a strong Italian accent) that he was an Australian, and nobody was going to deny his family that right. He himself was interned by the Australian Government, even though he was a farmer, and also tried to enlist in the army to protect his new home. He never saw the need to return to Italy, our nation was his.

My mother's family, including four brothers, all became committed Australians.

If anyone questions the benefits of immigration, a snapshot of my family includes, doctors, nurses, accountants, farmers, police officers, soldiers, scientists, inventors, tradespeople, musicians, engineers, business owners, lifeguards, Australian representative sportspeople, coaches and some fantastic cooks. Members of my family have recieved medals for their committment to the community and to sport. This is like many other immigrant families who offer so much to their new home and it must be remembered that without these people Australia would not be the great nation it currently is.

In 1788, Australia recieved it's first white immigrants. Aborigines immigrated an estimated 50 thousand years earlier, and have cared for and shaped our environment. Australia is a land of immigrants.

Today we have a different group of boat people but they, like my own ancestors, have been dealing with terrible times. They come from places ravaged by war and extremist views. They want someplace safe to raise their families and can offer so much, if given the opportunity.

It is often said that immigrants need to speak our language and adopt our cultures. If the Aboriginals had thought the same, we would be barely clothed, hunting with spears and speaking one of the many hundreds of languages spoken by Aboriginal Australia. That doesn't sound too bad to me, but what about pizza and pasta, stir fries, fish and chips, chilli, chocolate, burritos, curries, beer etc...? If you ever question the benefits of immigration, just take a look at the menu. We all know that good food is at the heart of every healthy nation.