Blog Topic #2

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/australia-day-to-showcase-national-spirit-20110125-1a404.html


January 26th is very important and celebrated day in the country of Australia. This is the date that is known as Australia Day. For Americans we can relate to this day very well. It has much of the same feel as July 4th does. Australians celebrate this day in many of the same ways that July 4th is celebrated. There are many festivals throughout Australia on this day, with different kinds of activities. According to the article posted above, "History buffs may take to Sydney Harbour to commemorate the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788." Just like on July 4th in the U.S., fireworks will fill the Australian sky at nightfall, to cap off the very eventful day. Overall this is a day for Australians show pride in there country. This pride is shown in our textbook on page 647, "Many American television programs appear down under, although the Australian media are mandated to show at least 50 percent local programming from 6 A.M. to midnight in order to "keep the Australia in Austrailian television.""




http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/opinion/big-benefits-from-immigration/story-e6frg71x-1225995723499


Immigration in Australia is a very important and hot topic right now. The above article explains how Australian people are split into 2 groups. One believes that business would greatly benefit from more immigrants. They believe this because the only reason the country is showing increased revenue from exports is because of higher prices not increased volume of exports that more workers would bring. The other side believes that more immigrants would take jobs away from Australians. From what I read this issue will probably never be resolved, but will continue to be around for awhile. The impact that migrants have on Australian society is a very large one, with " around 25 percent of Australia's people now immigrants,.." (Page 646 of our text book) That is a very large percentage of the population being foreign born. While reading through the article I understand both sides of Australia's immigration debate, yet i can not say that there is a certain side that has a better argument. All I can say is good luck Australia on trying to figure this one out.