Writer
Neville Roach
Former Chairman of Fujitsu Australia and New Zealand and of the Australian Government's National Multicultural Advisory Council and Business (Migration) Advisory Council Council.
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Plenary Council: Opportunity for Church to Restore Human Rights
Having for the first time chosen ‘no religion’ instead of Catholic in the Census, I do not feel entitled to write about the Church from a religious perspective. Instead, my comments are from a human rights viewpoint, the Church being an institution with considerable influence on Australian society and government. Continue reading »
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Catholic Plenary Council – an opportunity for Indigenous reconciliation
It is encouraging that the Instrumentum Laboris (Working Document) of the Catholic Plenary Council due to meet in October 2021 affirms, “We honour and acknowledge the continuing deep spiritual relationship of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to this country and commit ourselves to the ongoing journey of reconciliation”. Continue reading »
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The Australian passport that can take you anywhere including an Aussie jail!
The Indian passport I had when I first came to Australia allowed me to enter a few countries only. I had to get it endorsed by the Indian Government if travelling to a country not included. While such restrictions no longer exist, as an Australian passport holder I am now not allowed to make the Continue reading »
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Nothing could be Finer than to have a War with China in the Morning!
In the early sixties, in the midst of growing paranoia of the Red and Yellow Perils, portrayed by the Menzies Government as dagger-like arrows pointed at Australia’s heart, a TV variety show, perhaps Revue ’61 or In Melbourne Tonight, gave us comic relief with a parody on the Al Jolson song, ‘Carolina in the Morning’, Continue reading »
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All-fibre, publicly owned, NBN must top the list of Post-Covid infrastructure investment
On December 24 2020, our Christmas stocking had a surprise gift from Santa in the form of Communications Minister, Paul Fletcher. He announced a fully operational NBN. The long-overdue baby had finally been delivered. Continue reading »
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Holidays and symbols matter and demand independent review
John Howard’s refusal to say ‘Sorry’ on the grounds that he believed in practical rather than symbolic reconciliation actually highlighted the fact that the symbolism of the ‘S-Word’ was so important to him that he just couldn’t utter it. The Anglo in him had similar difficulty with the ‘M-word’; Multiculturalism. Continue reading »
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‘Harmony Day’ sweeps racism under the carpet again!
March 21 has been celebrated by Australia as Harmony Day since 1999. No other country does this. Instead, starting in 1979, every other nation observes that day as the ‘UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination’. Continue reading »
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We all need to get on board the campaign for First Nations Voice to Parliament
The Uluru Statement’s heart-rending plea, “In 1967 we were counted, in 2017 we seek to be heard” highlights its umbilical connection to the 1967 Referendum. However, this doesn’t guarantee similar success for the call for a First Nations Voice to Parliament. Continue reading »
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Time To Release The Magic Pudding of International Education From The Covid-19 Freezer!
International education had become the quintessential Magic Pudding that not only kept regrowing no matter how much we feasted on it, but became bigger every year! At least, until Covid-19 put it into the freezer! Continue reading »
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Home Affairs is too heavy handed to handle immigration
The 2020 Budget highlighted the dependence of Australia’s economic growth on a continually rising population. The Covid-19 border restrictions have caused negative net migration for the first time in more than a century. In a double whammy, the pandemic-induced anxieties have caused a drop in annual births per woman from 1.69 to 1.58. Continue reading »
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The Uluru Statement: An offer of redemption and reconciliation from the original sin that migrants all carry
May 26 2020 was the third anniversary of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. It was also the day the news of George Floyd’s murder broke which explains why the Statement had fewer headlines and opinion pieces in the Australian media than in previous years Continue reading »
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Indian Australians: supporting Black Lives Matter will make us feel we belong
In The American Bazaar on 20-07-20 Revathi Siva Kumar asks: “Have the people from the land of Mahatma Gandhi done enough for the oppressed African Americans? How many of them stood in solidarity with the protesters against police brutality and racism?” Continue reading »
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Palace Letters: Bring On The Republic! How To Ensure A ‘Yes’ Vote This Time!
John Kerr’s correspondence with the Palace before he dismissed Gough Whitlam highlights how irrelevant the British Monarch is as our Head of State. That the dismissal of a Prime Minister wasn’t even brought to her attention, and was instead handled by her Secretary, beggars belief! Continue reading »
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Adopting aspects of India’s non-alignment while honouring our US defence alliance
The escalating tension between China and Australia threatens our economic health. India’s Non-Alignment Foreign Policy shows a way to get back from the brink without sacrificing our independence, while still meeting our obligations under the ANZUS Alliance. Continue reading »
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Constitutional recognition, representation and affirmative action in India
Indigenous Australians have been seriously disadvantaged for far too long. It’s time for a treaty and a radical affirmative action program to close the gap in one or two generations. There are significant lessons to be drawn from India’s pioneering Constitution, the first to specifically commit to affirmative action. Continue reading »
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Black Lives Matter, Gandhi and Makarrta
The challenge for the Black Lives Matter protesters is to maintain their rage and commitment to their cause as Gandhi did to his, while remaining scrupulously non-violent. Continue reading »
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India’s human capital: A gift that keeps on giving
India is now Australia’s largest source of skilled migrants, the largest provider of temporary skilled specialists and second-largest source of overseas students. Continue reading »
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NEVILLE ROACH. Historic Summit between Australian and Indian Prime Ministers.
Does It Finally Signal A New Dawn In The Australia-India Relationship? Continue reading »
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NEVILLE ROACH. Temporary Highly Skilled Migration – a lifeline that needs managing, not axing or cutting
The issue of temporary skilled migration is again controversial, most recently following Kristina Keneally’s questioning of the size of all forms of migration. It shouldn’t be so. Properly managed, it remains an essential and extremely beneficial program. Continue reading »
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NEVILLE ROACH. Lessons for Morrison and Albanese from Churchill’s Shock Loss in 1945
Scott Morrison’s leadership in the Covid-19 War has boosted his popularity, suggesting he will win the next election against Labor. However, such a conclusion would be premature. Continue reading »
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NEVILLE ROACH. International student in Australia post-COVID-19
Australia’s tertiary institutions, reliant on tuition paid by overseas students, and the Federal government need to understand why these students choose this country if Australia is to remain a competitive international destination post-COVID-19. Continue reading »
