ItвЂ™s also true that the reason why so many millions of migrants have come to live here is because of the peace, prosperity and tolerance that characterise our way of life. While itвЂ™s true that since federation, and especially in the years after the Second World War, Australia has become a more culturally diverse nation, the reality is that the overwhelming majority of those living here can trace their ancestry back to the UK, Ireland and Europe. ItвЂ™s no accident that the Preamble of the Australian Constitution contains the words, вЂњhumbly relying on the blessing of Almighty GodвЂќ and that the Commonwealth Parliament begins each daily session with the LordвЂ™s Prayer. Concepts like habeas corpus, separation of powers and innocent until proven guilty are unique to Western civilisation. While geographically close to Asia, Australia is a Western nation, proven by the fact that our political and legal institutions and much of our language and literature are derived from Britain and Europe. There is an alternative to the national history curriculumвЂ™s politically-correct focus on diversity and difference (code for multiculturalism) and the belief that all cultures are of equal value and worth. ItвЂ™s ironic that when many talk of the clash between Islam and the West, and Australia is involved in wars against Islamic extremism in Iraq and Afghanistan, that we appear unwilling or incapable of teaching future generations about the unique nature of Western civilisation and the very values, beliefs and way of life that protect us and offers sanctuary to thousands from overseas. Also ignored is that Christianity is the most widely adopted religion in Australia with approximately 64% of Australians describing themselves as Christian. The Australian reality, based on 1999 figures, is that whereas approximately 67% of Australians are Anglo-Celtic in terms of ethnicity, the equivalent figure for indigenous Australians is 1.51%. A clear example of this attempt to airbrush Christianity from history, under the heading historical terms and concepts, is to replace BC (before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini) in favour of the more politically correct, secular alternatives, BCE (Before the Common Era), BP (Before Present) and CE (Common Era). When Christianity is mentioned it is usually in the context of other religions, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Confucianism, and there is little recognition of the central role of the Catholic Church in European history and Western culture. On reading the national history curriculum, one searches in vain for a proper acknowledgement that modern Australia is Anglo-Celtic in origin and that our history can only be fully understood in the context of the nationвЂ™s Western heritage and Judeo-Christian beliefs and values. Ignored is the role of the British Empire in spreading trade, technology, education, medicine and a commitment to the Westminster system of government throughout the world and the significance of the Commonwealth of Nations. The history writers are also happy to state that, 'The Australian Curriculum: History values Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures' and that students should be taught about the 'principles and virtues that are deeply embedded within these communities'. When talking about migration, students are told that they should study 'the long history of migration to Australia by people from Asia and appreciate the contributions made over time by Asian Australians to the development of AustraliaвЂ™s culture and society'. In relation to Asia, teachers are asked to make students Asia-literate and teach about the, 'histories, geographies, cultures, arts, literatures and languages of the diverse countries of our region'.

Instead of celebrating Western civilisation, Christianity and AustraliaвЂ™s Anglo-Celtic heritage, priority is given to 'Asia and AustraliaвЂ™s engagement with Asia', along with 'Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures' and politically-correct issues like the environment. One answer, best illustrated by the new ALP-inspired kindergarten to year 10 national history curriculum, released last December and to be finalised by October this year, is that we are part of Asia and a multicultural and secular society that is characterised by diversity and difference.

Given the nationвЂ™s celebration of Australia Day, itвЂ™s timely to ask the question: what does it mean to be Australian and how are we different to the rest of the world?

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