Are the Socceroos the antidote to Pauline Hanson?
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What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
I'm Daniel James and you're listening to 7am. This week, Pauline Hanson called for multiculturalism to be replaced with monoculturalism. At the same time, the Socceroos were capturing the hearts and minds of Australians everywhere on their biggest stage of all, the World Cup. It's a team filled with players from multiple cultural backgrounds, and one that if Hanson's vision of the nation came to bear, simply wouldn't exist. Today, former Socceroo and refugee advocate Craig Foster on the team that's quietly challenging one of the most divisive debates in the country simply by taking the field. It's Friday, June 19. Craig, good to have you on 7am. In the middle of Refugee Week, Pauline Hanson addressed the National Press Club and laid out her vision of Australia, a cultural hellscape where SBS would be abolished, the ABC subscripted, people who come here to make a life for themselves are told to leave their heritage behind and presumably only speak in their native tongue and hushed tones.
How does that equate to the Australia you grew up in and the country you proudly represented on the world stage?
Well, Pauline Hanson is trying to turn the country back to the 1920s, 1930s, if that, maybe even her vision's worse.
How does Pauline Hanson's vision contrast with multiculturalism in Australia?
And, you know, in the early 70s, Australia rightly said that people, you know, want to be able to respect people. their heritage and their ancestry. And what Pauline Hanson is doing is a frontal assault on Australian football, the game that I love. It's a frontal assault on the Socceroos, that's for sure. It's a frontal assault on Matildas.
What role do the Socceroos play in the multicultural narrative of Australia?
And on the very meaning of Australia, in my view, and I think in millions of Australians in the football community, it's completely nonsensical to me, but it's also very, very dangerous. And Refugee Week comes at an important time during the World Cup when the Socceroos are beautifully representing Australia and talking about what Australia means to them and their families. particularly those who weren't born here and the opportunity that Australia has provided. That's a vital part of our Australian national story and that's not going to be destroyed by Pauline Hanson.
And Australia is a very multicultural country and that's what makes it the best country in the world, in my opinion. It's the best country in the world because of that.
A refugee had a very different message from that of Pauline Hanson's when he spoke at a press conference about the value of multiculturalism in the country.
You have the whole world in one place and the Socceroos now is a representation of that.
How powerful were his words at this moment in time?
Really beautifully put. And I think immensely powerful because he's now on a stage where Australia is looking at the Socceroos. They've got the focal point on them. A marvellous result against Turkey only increases that focus. Australia's in love with this team. And
How does Craig Foster view the impact of Pauline Hanson's rhetoric on Australian football?
It's time to have that conversation about what they represent and who they represent and how they feel about being Australian. It's clear that they're immensely proud to wear the green and gold and wear the Australian emblem. But he also talks very passionately and beautifully about their background and about the story of his family.
You know, I have a story of there was war in my country, so my parents flee my country. And then Australia took us in through a humanitarian visa, you know. So that's how I was able to go to Australia. And many others have their way of going to Australia and their reasons. So, you know, for me... It's a refugee week and it's a week that I would like to say to anybody that is misplaced all over the world that we are with you. And we are in a world stage right now in a big tournament.
What stories do the Socceroos represent regarding Australia's refugee experience?
And just to tell you everything is possible.
And these are stories that, you know, are woven into the fabric of Australian life. You know, people who came here either for employment or people that came here fleeing conflict like Les Murray, my, you know, loved colleague and late friend and legendary broadcaster, or indeed people like Arwen Mabil or people like me who were born here.
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Chapters
8 chapters
1
What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
0:01–1:28
2
How does Pauline Hanson's vision contrast with multiculturalism in Australia?
1:28–1:52
3
What role do the Socceroos play in the multicultural narrative of Australia?
1:52–3:13
4
How does Craig Foster view the impact of Pauline Hanson's rhetoric on Australian football?
3:13–4:11
5
What stories do the Socceroos represent regarding Australia's refugee experience?
4:11–5:02
6
How can the Socceroos influence the national conversation on migration?
5:02–6:52
7
What challenges do athletes face in addressing social issues?
6:52–7:27
8
Can the Socceroos' success change perceptions of multiculturalism in Australia?
7:27–17:28