00:07
Australia: a nation built on the back of immigration. Almost every second person in Australia is an immigrant or the child of an immigrant.
00:21
21 million people live here, from nearly 200 different countries - three times as many as 50 years ago.
00:29
Australia bases its immigration controls on the needs of its business and society, operating a strict points system. Those who will contribute to the country are welcome - that is, anyone who brings an important qualification, has enjoyed a good education, speaks English and is as young as possible.
00:48
The hurdles are high, but those who are accepted are welcomed and will be well integrated. They may be accused of elitist selection, or forward-looking controls, but the fact is that Australia offers immigrants a great lifestyle.
01:14
Peter Tiesenhausen is an anaesthetist from Graz who came to Australia four years ago. Specialists like him are high on the list of sought-after professions.
01:24
OT Peter Tiesenhausen, doctor
Hello, Alice. I’m just popping by for a quick post-operative visit.
01:29
01:31
Peter Tiesenhausen works in a small hospital in Noosa, Queensland. Anaesthetists are rare here, despite the good salary and working conditions.
01:40
OT Peter Tiesenhausen, doctor
The lack of specialists is large, so the demand is enormous. The biggest difference to Austria is that there is a very great appreciation of the staff, not only the doctors, but also the sisters. There are no entrenched hierarchies like in Austria. Everyone here is worth the same. There isn’t the same function of the chief doctor, everything is about a group consensus, and so the responsibility of the individual is much greater. One is not only appreciated by his colleagues, but also by the hospital management and the patient.
02:16
With these ideal working conditions, Peter Tiesenhausen has decided to stay. Anyone who has been in the country for 4 years, including a year with a 'Permanent Residence' permit, can easily become an Australian citizen.
02:30
Their new citizenship is celebrated with a large naturalization ceremony. These celebrations, organized by the Immigration Ministry, are carried out across the country several times a year.
02:40
OT Peter Tiesenhausen (open)
Good Morning! Big day today. Peter Tiesenhausen. Very exciting children, very great day! Myself and two children.
02:53
Peter’s children, Anna and Thomas, also get Australian citizenship.
02:57
OT Peter Tiesenhausen
So, Anna, look what I brought you ... what have they given us for you: a flag, another flag - and a tattoo! Where do you want to put the tattoo? On the cheek? Or on the arm? That will never come off!
03:27
Nearly 200 people are here on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland to become new Australians. Across the country there are 13 000 immigrants from 143 countries becoming citizens.
03:44
OT Mayor (Victor)
Australia welcomes you! .. This is a new nation. This is a nation of significant number of different people from all over the world. Australian citizenship is a bond which unites us all.
03:57
Singer
'We are one, but we are many ...'
04:08
'We are one, but we are many' is the unofficial anthem of Australia. Its message is that anyone from anywhere in the world can become an Australian.
Singer
I am, you are, we are all Australian ... (OPEN)
04:43
The Mayor calls everyone up to receive a certificate of citizenship.
05:08
Peter’s wife Monika is the only family member not taking citizenship. Hungarian by birth, she has already changed her citizenship once to become Austrian. Although Australia offers dual-citizenship, she has chosen to remain fully European.
05:20
OT Moderator (Peter)
Where are you guys from?
Peter: Austria (OPEN)
Moderator: Did I get that right ... Did I say Tiesenhausen right?
Peter: Yeah! We had a bet actually that you would say 'Teisenhausen' but you got it right!
Thomas? Congratulations, Thomas! Well done!
Anna? And Peter. That's me! Congratulation! Thank you very much! etc.
05:49
To acknowledge their new citizenship, they are given a cap in the national colours and an Australian tree - a symbol of the new citizens taking root in their new home.
06:10 OT Monika
My Australian husband! ..
06:13
Finally: a commitment to Australian values and law.
06:18
OT Peter Tiesenhausen (OPEN)
As an Australian citizen I affirm my loyalty to Australia and its people! Ozy, Ozy, Ozy!
06:36
The fate of the native Australian is the darkest chapter in the history of immigration here, and it has a lasting effect to this day. The fact that the Aboriginal people also welcome these new citizens has a particular resonance.
07:06
OT Peter Tiesenhausen
There was a very emotional history told here today, and I think it's a shame that it isn’t done like this in Austria ... because here it gives the ceremony a special meaning. You got Austrian citizenship - how was that?
07:20 OT Monika Tiesenhausen
I had to enter into the national government, was greeted by a lady in the room, a clerk: the paper was presented to me and I was wished all the best and that's it, goodbye. It had no emotional significance, not at all. Whereas if I think it would have been a similar ceremony to this one here today ...
OT Peter Tiesenhausen
... so really a request to integrate into society rather than a welcome into the community…
Monika OT ... that would have caused very different feelings.
. OT Peter .. this was pretty cool, I must say, the involvement of Aboriginal people – I found really great!
07:54
08:02
Naturalization ceremonies are traditionally celebrated in Australia with a festival.
08:23
The Teisenhausen family are enjoying it. Still, some attachment to their Austrian homeland remains, at least for the parents ...
08:32
OT Peter Tiesenhausen
We're still very often in Austria during the holiday season and will be there a lot, and perhaps when we retire we’ll go back to Austria.
Question: And what will you do?
OT Anna: I’ll stay here.
OT Tommy: Me too.
08:54
It is estimated that by 2050 Australia's population will have grown from 21 to 35 million people. There may be plenty of space here, but this statistic has caused a lot of concern.
09:16
Curbing immigration was a hot topic in recent elections, but seemed to be quickly forgotten again afterwards. According to surveys, the immigration of skilled workers from Europe doesn’t worry many people.
09:32
Public opinion is far more sceptical about refugees and asylum seekers.
09:49
Ulla Khan Ali is 18 years old. He comes from Afghanistan has received asylum in Australia. He belongs to the Hazara ethnic group, which has been persecuted in his homeland. Ali lived in a refugee camp in Pakistan for seven years before his uncle managed to get him and his brother onto a boat.
10:10
OT Ali Khanullah afghan. Refugees (English)
My brother and I were able to come because my uncle vouched for us. I like working with sheep and cattle. After a few months learning English, I started a course here. The people in Warwick are very nice and helpful, especially my teachers.
10:48
Ali has participated in training for farm workers, specifically aimed at refugees. In the agricultural industry, there is a big shortage of manpower. Equally there is also a need to find jobs for all the Neo-Australians arriving here. So how have the people of Warwick received this influx of refugees?
11:03
OT Kellie Monckton, a trainer (Angelika)
Surprisingly really really well because we’re only really a fairly small town and you would think that there could be some problems where people might not be happy having refugees in the town, but we’ve found it to be the opposite. Everyone was really happy to help us out. They helped with the local agricultural show and people really appreciated that and wanted to know more about them and become involved. So it was quite the opposite, the community was happy to have them here.
11:36
Ali was lucky to get asylum as quickly as he did.
(Leave open for “Don’t go near Bella”)
Even if the controversial asylum policies of the previous Conservative government are over and the notorious Woomera detention centre has closed, many refugees still wait years for a decision, even though the workers are urgently needed.
12:01
OT Kellie Monckton, a trainer (Angelika)
The rural industry has a major skill shortage. A lot of people go mines from the farms, just because of the high wages in mining compared to that, so we’ve lost a lot of people over the years, so there is a definite shortage of workers for the rural industry.
12:22
Agriculture is still an important factor in Australia’s economy. But fewer and fewer Australians want to live the frugal life on a remote farm. For Ali, it is apparently just the trick.
12:36
OT Ali Khanullah (Marcus)
I enjoyed most horse riding and tractor driving. Everything was good. Everything I've learned to do here I can find a job for.
12:55
Ali may become a sheep-farmer, or finish his education - he knows he was lucky. Refugees have become an armed subject in politics and the media, often with racist undertones - despite the fact that under the UN definition most are entitled to asylum. Almost 98% of those coming into Australia qualify for entry.
13:15
OT Kellie Monckton, a trainer (Angelika)
I guess the big success was seeing how the boys grew in themselves over the time that they were here, they gained confidence, they learned more about Australia…so that was probably the main outcome, that they felt very welcome in Australia. They learned some new skills that might get them a job at the end of it.
13:40
The fact that journalists from Europe are here in a remote part of Australia doing a report on immigration and refugees has not gone unnoticed by the local newspaper. A reporter wants to know why we are interested in this subject and what we think of Australia. Underneath the smiles, this topic clearly provokes some anxiety.
14:02
The new citizens, the Tiesenhausen family, are spending the afternoon at the beach.
14:10
Father Peter and the children are now both Austrians and Australians. In Australia, it is not only possible to have double citizenry, but actively encouraged. The idea is that it allows the immigrant to incorporate into Australian society and want to improve it, without creating a conflict of loyalties.
14:43
On the way to the home the family spot a herd of kangaroos dozing on the edge of a sports ground in the shade of the trees. For the children, settling into their new home is still an adventure.
With Australia's climate, the common language of English and the steadily growing economy, the family soon abandoned their original plan to stay only two years.
15:09
OT Tiesenhausen
Normally they cannot get nearly so close. Must be the heat.
15:18
OT Peter Tiesenhausen, doctor
After two years we have fallen in love with Australia. The children love the school and the language was no problem at all. My wife likes it, which is important to me: 'Happy wife, happy life'. I like it too: even in my profession I can express myself, we have a great working atmosphere, the best working conditions you could wish for – we are fine here, so we made the decision to stay here longer.
15:47
But it is not always this easy: this German doctor and his family were denied a permanent residence permit, because their youngest son suffers from Downs syndrome. The reasoning was that it would cost the health system too much.
16:02
OT Peter Tiesenhausen, doctor
This story is very tragic and should not have happened. The story has shocked the Australian population, and reminded them that although their immigration policy is not bad, there are still a lot of mistakes and gaps. This was a big blow to the Australian community, it has not been at all well received, and there has been a huge outcry.
16:30
The public interest in this case was so great that the decision was finally revised.
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16:48
Sydney - an attraction for tourists and immigrants from all over the world.
17:05
With more than 4 million inhabitants, it the biggest city in Australia and remarkably multicultural, with immigrants coming from all over the world, including Greece, Italy, Ireland, Korea, Vietnam, China and India.
17:33
The largest Islamic community in Australia also lives here: Muslims from Lebanon, Palestine, Indonesia, Pakistan and Egypt are amongst the best integrated here.
17:48
A Muslim Youth Forum is being held here. Since the attacks of September 11th and the Bali bombings young Muslims have been at the centre of political debate.
The riots in Sydney, where young Anglo-Australians and Lebanese people clashed may stand as an individual case, like the racist protests against the establishment of an Islamic school two years ago. Yet such cases have still led to young Muslims in Australia questioning their identity.
18:16
Kuranda Seyit OT
Welcome everybody (open)
18:17
Kuranda Seyit is the son of Turkish immigrants. He was a policeman in Sydney, has studied conflict studies and now works as a representative for the Muslim youth.
18:27 OPEN
OT Kuranda (Victor)
Can the Australian muslim stand up .. and now all Muslim Australians.
18:36
OT Kuranda (Victor)
Almost the same group ...
18:42
OT Kuranda (Victor)
What does it mean to be Australian? Easy going, is that right?
18:47
OT Palestinian
I agree with what you said before about respecting the values of any country, wherever you are..
18:52
OT girl 1 (Katinka)
Personally I would say being Australian means not imposing on other people.
18:58
OT girl 2 (Angelika)
I think that's fair enough. We can say what Australian culture is or Indian culture. But that should not be mixed up with the question of what it means to be Australian. Because you can be Australian and still not identify with some parts of the culture here. I think the two things are distinct.
19:20
The meeting ends with a more light-hearted take on the topic.
19:25
OT Amro Ali (Peter)
Hello people, how are you?
We ethnics are always accused of not integrating, but you know integrating is what we do best. I do my bit of integrating each morning by spreading vegemite on my Lebanese bread.
16:38
OT Amro (Peter)
Egyptians are the craziest drivers on the planet. I am scared to drive with an Egyptian, even if they’re not behind the wheel. You remember what happened to Princess Diana. You know how they have signs here that say “Don’t drink and drive”? They need signs there that simply say: “Don’t drive”.
20:04
We meet the comedian, Ali Amro, and his brother the next day at the harbour. They are the sons of Egyptian immigrants. Amro has studied politics and worked as a consultant for diplomatic missions.
20:17
OT Amro Ali, a political scientist (Peter)
When I was raised, you know you struggle to take on the predominant identity. However, growing up what would happen would be that my life would be subjected to international happenings. I came to the realisation that it is possible to have layers of identity. My national, civic identity is Australian. My ethnic identity is Egyptian/Arab. Religious identity is Muslim. These don’t mutually contradict each other, but mutually support each other.
20:54
Amro Adel's brother was born in Australia. He earns his living as a dance teacher for breakdance and hip-hop.
21:13 OT Adel Ali
Like a lot of muslims these days, like I see in my home town, they like to show that they can implement a lot of the Muslim qualities into Australian culture as well. And that allows other Australians to accept them for what they are, because as an Australian citizen, although I am a Muslim, I still have to adapt to the Australian way. And that is why you have to meet at a certain point together and agree that “You’ll be ok with what I believe in and I’ll be ok with what you do.”
21:48
The majority of immigrants in Sydney come from India and China. They are young, motivated people with a good education, who reach the necessary 120 points in the strict visa-granting system. Engineers, IT experts, doctors, but also mechanics, plumbers and bakers - even these professions are in demand here.
22:13
The chances of obtaining a work visa can be checked online. Points are given for education, work experience and knowledge of English - but if the age limit is exceeded, you have no profession and no relatives in
Australia, then the result is clear and sobering:
22:33 (German)
Not enough points.
22:35
-----------------------------------------------
22:56
Until the mid-70s, the racist “White Australia Policy” limited the influx of Africans and Asians to the country. Since it was abolished, Australia's immigration policy, at least on paper, is non-discriminatory.
23:19
Far into the outback, the iron-rich red earth dominates the landscape, with temperatures reaching over 40 degrees Celsius.
23:33
This town once thrived on its Cobar copper mine. The heyday of mining is long gone now though and more than half the residents have moved away.
23:52
For those willing to come here, there is a special region-bound work visa. Caroline Manyathi moved here with her family from South Africa. She is a nurse with special training for the care of elderly and terminally ill people.
24.14
Caroline Manyathi
Exercises before school, looking forward to those? Because I know you do not like those.
24.22
The twins Chenneh and Tenneh are 10 years old. They were five when they came here from Johannesburg. The flag of South Africa hangs in their room so they do not forget their old country.
24.37
So what do they like best about Australia?
24.43
Chenneh Manyathi
Meeting new friends every day and all the fun activities that happen at times.
25.00?
Tenneh Manyathi
Going to school, seeing the teachers’ beautiful smiles, and learning new things every day.
Interviewer – And in your heart do you feel more African or Australian?
Tenneh Manyathi
I do not know really. It's a hard question ... Maybe both!
25.38
The girls are on their way to school. Their father, Noah, has just returned home from night shift at the mine.
Now he starts work on his sewing machine. He is a skilled tailor.
25.57
Noah Manyathi, mine worker and tailor
Once you get the visa and you come into the country then everything is easy. But you have to get a job before you come in, that's the difficult part of it. We were lucky because my wife is a nurse and they need a lot of nurses, they are short of nurses here.
26.16
Integration is best achieved through the labour market
(OPEN Caroline: Good Morning everyone).
Working in the nursing home, Caroline offers a service that is highly valued. One of her favourite patients is an elderly watercolour painter.
26.42
OT Caroline Manyathi (Angelika)
We never felt like outsiders. The community at large were so accepting. You meet strangers on the street and they ask you ‘where are you from?’ ‘why are you here?’. We just felt so relaxed and thought ‘this is where I want to be’.
27.05
Caroline feels at home here. But the thought of someday returning to their old homeland hasn’t disappeared.
27.13
OT Caroline (Angelika)
Probably for the next ten years or so we will probably still be around. But home is always home. So we will always go back home eventually. But we don’t know if the girls will come with us. But Noah and I will definitely go back home.
27:33
An integrated citizen with choices: if you have something to offer Australia, it certainly has a lot to offer you.