Dear Mr Beazley

Dear Mr Beazley

It was with some interest that I read your statements about requiring immigrants to pledge allegiance to 'Australian values'. Unfortunately I wasn't able to find out in your statement precisely what these values are. As such, I'd like to ask you a few questions to clarify your point of view.

1) Can you please list these values in full.

2) Is the list subject to change? Not too long ago mistrust and hatred of foreigners was an Aussie value and government policy, since that value changed (multiculturalism) does this mean the list will be updated and applicants required to re-pledge?

3) Will Australian citizens be required to make that pledge or are we supposed to have memorised the list of Aussie values suspended over our cots when we were born?

4) If Catholics pledge to respect women, does that mean they will be required to permit women to become church ministers if they want?

5) How do you prove that someone isn't upholding their pledges? No doubt a gentleman like yourself is well positioned to judge whether another is working hard or not but what about respecting women and mateship? Perhaps we could contract the enforcement of mateship to Bundaberg rum. They already run a delightful competition on mateship and are unafraid to give examples of mateship. I believe this involves dying people pink and lifting jockeys up by the scruff of the neck, you should see the adverts sir, they really are quite good.

I think you have the germ of a good idea here. I'd just like to know more about it so I can discuss it with other people I know. Your help would be appreciated.

Respectfully,