I agree there must be assimilation of peoples who choose to live in Australia, and the utmost respect must be paid to the laws of the country and its ideals while those laws and ideals are just and equitable. However, that does not mean that those who were born elsewhere or have strong ties to other places in the world must sever their attachment to and concern for those places. That is an unrealistic and unnecessary expectation and/or stipulation to make. You say, ‘even the UK immigrants’ – why are they any more special than other immigrants? I know you’re implying they’re not, but ‘even’ inserts a note of difference here. UK immigrants are intensely connected to their countries of origin, no matter how many years in Australia, but it doesn’t stop them from being worthwhile Australian citizens. The same goes for the Italians and Greeks who came here in so many numbers post Second World War.

Assimilation, too, does not mean leaving your own culture behind. Indeed, the rich diversity of cultures has contributed so much to make Australia what it is today. Without that it might have won the crown for most boring place on earth, despite its safety and opportunities. So let’s realise that assimilation doesn’t mean rigidity of thought and heart, all flowing in one direction only.

There is nothing wrong at all with dual citizenship while a citizen is participating in society, contributing his/her bit, and living as productive a life as possible. It is allowed by Australian law, as it should be. Rhetoric and slogans have nothing to do with loyalty and extreme notion of nationalism can produce bigotry, aggression and ultimately war.

Once a migrant takes out citizenship as an Australian, after passing the various loyalty tests, they to are real Australians having abandoned the old country however if they cling to the old countries citizenship they are not a serious or real Australian, even the UK immigrants.

On federation in 1901 the official Commonwealth slogan was “One People, One Nation, One Destiny”. It was displayed over St Kilda Rd, near the Arts Centre, in 2001 too. Its called assimilation.

So, in the Greens’ eyes, Zionist Victoria as an organisation is political, but the Palestinian rally on ‘Nakba Day’ with printed material produced and distributed by the Greens isn’t?

Wake up Jewish Greens supporters in Melbourne Ports.

Well John you don’t know much about me.

Yes I definitely have Michael Danby on my radar or as an former infantry officer “in my sights” politically is more apt, as my lazy local MHR and it is not bias its just fact. Incidentally I am in Melbourne not Sydney.

Also I praise the two former ALP Melbourne Ports MHRs on 12 Aug 16 below so it not bias, and as I was not living in Melbourne Ports as a voter before 1980 I cant comment on local MHR further back.

I am aware the candidate Steph withdrew from a forum but only three candidates (Lab, Lib, Grn) were invited by the organizers. This is hardly representative of the eight candidate on Melbourne Ports who stood in 2016.

The forum was really a vehicle to try and promote Michael Danby in my view.

This forgetfulness, to invite all candidates, happened at some other forums including one at the Anglican Church in Acland St, St Kilda, a few election ago too. I remember, as I attended that one, only four (Lab, Lib, Grn, Dem) of eight candidate were invited.

Lets face it most attendee at any pre election forums are supporters of candidates anyway and the media mostly do not even attend them.

Well said Simon.

I for the first time voted 1 for Steph (Greens) but put Michael (Labor) last so Owen (Lib) would eventually end up with my vote after the preference distribution.

Neither of you have to support Israel, or like Israel for that matter. You could, however, try to rise a little above your bias to become less petty.

Danby likes to cite other Greens in other jurisdictions about Israel, yet says nothing about his former factional colleague Bob Carr, who’s ugly comments about the so-called ‘Jewish lobby’ were far more offensive, coming from Labor’s Foreign Affairs minister. And his views hardly align with the Labor Left, whose comments are very similar to those he attributes to some Greens.

Let’s be honest here, Danby has no influence over Labor’s foreign policy and he surely cannot support Labor’s platform that East Jerusalem in ‘occupied territory’. His attack on the Greens was a desperate play by a local member whose support drops each election. Playing the Israel card might have got him returned, but it was divisive, offensive politics that created animosity.

A few elections ago he was pictured in MCV (a Gay newspaper) standing next to a well know St Kilda cabaret transsexual in a full page photo in the back page. At the next election the identical photo was re-published in MCV but unfortunately the poor woman has died a year earlier but Michael had not checked with her obviously. This disaster was highlighted by some young bloke as St Kilda Town Hall at a meet the candidates forum wich was very embarrassing for Mr Danby and I witnesses it.

Then there was the fridge magnet calendar with school holidays shown, unfortunately they were NSW holidays (different dates) not Victoria’s.

In another bit of PR ANZAC Day had a date problem and other religious holidays were added to the calendar but Easter Sunday was omitted.

Attention to detail can be problem with Mr Danby.