Is it time for ethnic quotas?

Regardless of Australia's mixed report card on race and cultural relations and the shrill 'cultural wars' ignited by right-wing media stars and some in the main parties, cultural diversity seems to be represented in this ship of state. Or is it?

Could it be that what we really have represented is aspiration to whiteness or to be part of the mainstream? Do issues or values formed by migration, feelings of otherness, racism or exclusion guide 'ethnic' politicians? Should we expect 'ethnic' politicians to represent ethnicity, or to profess support for multiculturalism and Aboriginal equity just because of they 'feel' for those on the outer? The answers, I believe, fall in a grey middle.

Some politicians of non Anglo Celtic background may go out of their way to profess they are there for all Australians, just in case they are accused of some form of cultural bias. Yet, I have never heard of an Irish or Scottish Australian politician, (or one of northern European background), being accused of bias when debating legislation or introducing policies. The issue seems to revolve around levels of assimilation and acquiescence to the dominant form of cultural and political debate.

Any sense of more open representation of one's cultural biases, or archetypal behaviour, then 'ethnics', look like they're looking for trouble and are accused of being divisive.

Being Aboriginal, Muslim, or Jewish, is fine, in fact it is a 'celebration of our unique multiculturalism' but the underlying reality some may argue, is to never behave like you're not grateful for the entry into the inner circle. Look at what happened to Adam Goodes recently.

When I was a student in Adelaide Boys High and got in trouble the headmaster would say, "Why can't you be a good Greek boy?" and my mother would promise that I would soon morph into such a lad. Sadly, I never did.