As an Australian, I found the article by Peter Kell (The Jakarta Post, Dec. 31, 2005, Cronulla Beach riots make waves in Asia Pacific) highly offensive and inaccurate. In the last 10 years, thousands of migrants have come to Australia from the Sudan, other African countries, the Pacific islands and Southeast Asian countries, including Indonesia.

These people have been embraced by the wider community and have received much church and government support in housing, furnishing and English language training. Many are now integrated into mainstream society. If Australia was as racist as Kell suggests, this would not be the case. The catalyst for the recent disturbances at Cronulla Beach was the attack on lifeguards by youths of "Middle Eastern appearance".

Far from being discriminated against, Muslims in the state of Victoria have received preferential treatment: (1) A small country town closes its swimming pool to women in the evening so Muslim men can swim; (2) Two Christian pastors giving a seminar on Islam, using the Koran as a textbook, were found guilty of vilifying Islam and now face jail sentences; (3) Muslims are free to build mosques and schools, with government assistance; (4) In consideration of minority religions, and political correctness, Christmas stories are not shared in most kindergartens now.

Racism in Australia is more perception than reality.

LORRAINE NIBLOCK Victoria, Australia.