Australian HC responds …

The Island ’s article of 15 June “Stiffer challenge from the far right” presents a false picture of Australia. While we do not pretend Australia is perfect, the values of tolerance, diversity and inclusion are intrinsic elements of our society, as the many Sri Lankans who have visited or comprise our lively Sri Lankan diaspora can attest. Australia is a truly multi-ethnic and multi-cultural community, demonstrated by the fact that over 50 per cent of our citizens were either born overseas or have a parent who was born overseas.

Australians are rightfully proud of our success as an immigrant nation and the way that people from many different ethnicities, religions and backgrounds are welcomed and fully integrated into our community. As in many countries, there are Australians who espouse far right values, but they are a very small minority and invisible from our daily lives.

Paul Stephens
Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanaka