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Society’s evermore insatiable appetite for terrorism is eroding the multicultural tolerance of Australia. A tolerant multicultural society is where people of all cultures and beliefs are not only allowed to live, but are treated fairly and objectively regardless of opinions, practices, race, religion and nationality. Terrorism is unlawful violence or other unlawful harmful acts committed or threatened against civilians by groups or persons for political or other ideological goals. This essay will discuss what this appetite for terrorism is, what causes it and what it means for people who are different in some ways from mainstream Australians.

Australia’s appetite for terrorism has increased dramatically since the September 11 attacks in 2001. Society’s focus has been directed towards the fear of terrorism. Whereas before the September 11 attacks, terrorism was a topic that rarely entered Australian conversations, today society is inundated with news and media that relate to terrorism. In 2003 John Howard created the “Be Alert not Alarmed” campaign that warned the public of the upgrading of the risk of terrorist attacks from low to medium. In September 2005, new Airport security laws designed to counter terrorism were announced at great expense to the Australian taxpayers. These measures have triggered deeper fears in the Australian public.

This fear of terrorism has translated itself into a fear of people who are different from the mainstream culture of the Australian society. Australia’s befriending and support of America, a strong ally despite differences in opinions, attitudes and policies, is the result of a deep fear of a potential forced change in our culture and way of life. Australian support for Pauline Hanson, a politician who has publicly made obscenely racist comments on a number of occasions, also illustrates the fear of cultural change that exists in many mainstream Australians. This fear found an outlet in the 2005...