Joseph Moses: Every person is significant to this country's history
Every person who comes to this country contributes to it’s history. Australia has a long and proud history and every person contributes to how proud our country’s history is. Migrants, in my opinion, have one of the most significant contributions because Australia has became a country built on the values of multiculturalism. I know this because of my own family’s background. My great-grandparents came to Australia looking for a better life for their children and their generations to come. They taught my grandparents that through hard work, anything can be achieved. Migrants are amongst the hardest working people in our country, therefore I believe that due to the values that our country has been built upon, Australia should be welcome to all “who’ve come across the seas”. Our national anthem mentions, “we’ve boundless plains to share”, therefore we should be open to all who’ve come on boats or even on planes. For me, as a first-generation Australian, but my grandparents being born Lebanon, I probably wouldn’t be here if they didn’t have the goal to get a better life for their children. Therefore, I probably have been influenced into my view by my own story and by the fact most people come here to live a safer life and work for a better future for their family. Yet, Australia prides itself on being a country being independent of its own legal values and even though every person has a right to live a safe and happy life, they have a responsibility to follow the laws. Moreover, this starts with entry to the country. Each person is welcome in Australia provided they enter legally. Every migrant has to understand that by coming to a country, you have to abide by the laws and if you don’t enter this country legally, you will be denied entry and will therefore not be welcome into the country.
The government have emphasized that if anyone comes illegally or without a visa, they will not be settled in Australia. Yet, I think that if people do not come the way the law says they should, they need to accept the consequences because that's how our legal system, one of the most advanced in the world, works. From my own background, my grandparents were lucky to come here and settle here safely, all because Australia is such a friendly and welcoming country and will accept anyone. Yet, if people want to come here illegally or without a visa, then they should not be settled in Australia.
The government have emphasized that if anyone comes illegally or without a visa, they will not be settled in Australia. Yet, I think that if people do not come the way the law says they should, they need to accept the consequences because that's how our legal system, one of the most advanced in the world, works. From my own background, my grandparents were lucky to come here and settle here safely, all because Australia is such a friendly and welcoming country and will accept anyone. Yet, if people want to come here illegally or without a visa, then they should not be settled in Australia.