Awer Mabil dismisses 'bullshit' multiculturalism debate
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Socceroos star Awer Mabil called claims that Australia is not a successful multicultural society "bullshit." He stated that his team was not distracted by the debate initiated by Pauline Hanson during the World Cup, emphasizing that multiculturalism "brings other flavour to the table."
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One Nation leader Pauline Hanson claimed Australia cannot be a multicultural society and suggested the Socceroos represented her vision of a monoculture. Awer Mabil, an Australian citizen who moved from a refugee camp, responded to these claims.
Socceroo star Awer Mabil says it is "bullshit" to suggest Australia is not a successful multicultural society, declaring his team was not "distracted" by the monoculture debate launched by One Nation during the World Cup.
Australia's national soccer team became the centre of a debate about diversity after One Nation leader Pauline Hanson claimed the Socceroos represented her "vision" of a monoculture.
Mabil was asked to weigh in on the issue after he arrived at the Adelaide Airport today after the Socceroos' loss to Egypt in the round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
He said it was "all bullshit" to suggest Australia was not a multicultural society, and insisted his teammates were focused on representing Australia on the world stage for the tournament.
"You pick to be a good human being, yes, that's a choice.
"Some people they choose to go against being good; that's their own problem. They're missing out on what others can bring and that's what multicultural does, it brings other flavour to the table instead of just one thing."
Mabil, who is an Australian citizen, moved to Adelaide at the age of 10 after spending his early years in a refugee camp in Kenya.
Socceroos not distracted by commentary
In a speech at the National Press Club in June, Senator Hanson declared Australia was a multiracial society, but "cannot be a multicultural" one, and she warned high migration had caused the country to lose its identity.
Senator Hanson called for Australia to end a decades-long policy of multiculturalism in favour of a monoculture, which was widely condemned by Labor and Liberal MPs.
A week later, Senator Hanson claimed the Socceroos were her ideal "vision" of an Australian monoculture.
"The Socceroos, in fact, represent my vision of a monocultural Australia," Senator Hanson said.
"People from different background and cultures and nations all wearing the green and gold and representing one nation under one flag and succeeding under the same set of rules."
Mabil said Senator Hanson's comments did not "distract" his teammates from competing in the World Cup.
"It didn't really distract us because we know what we represent; we represent Australia on the biggest stage," he said.
"If anyone is trying to divide that, then they're probably not Australian themselves in a sense respectfully."
Açık Sorular
- What is the broader public reaction to Hanson's comments?
- Will there be further political debate on multiculturalism?