Feel free to stop responding if you like. It makes not one iota of difference to me either way.

i think winter footwear was looking for this smilie

So Cliche in "Read between the lines"
I like smilies;

So I gathered. As long as you enjoy them, that's what matters.

SOOooooo,
Mrsgreenstar76 how about a coffee and chat @ a Cafe to settle our differences?

Whilst I don't doubt that conversation in person with you is as enthralling as your online chat, I will have to decline. If you wish to end the discussion though, that is not a problem.

Mmmmmmm,yeah.
Hey at least we tried!!!
Maybe next thread

I think there is some hypocrisy on this thread with some saying you can quote and some saying you can't and yet quoting themselves.

I am extremely disillusioned with some aspects of BE posters statements on here, not sure if they are moderators or not but their sheer arrogance is staining what was once a good board. Let people vent, then try and assist them, not shout them down or be arrogant just because YOU think you know best.

If you have a problem with a post, feel free to report it.

But that's just it....I think posts SHOULD have a degree of openness and latitude. Sometimes a word or phrase which is possibly not acceptable in SOME peoples repertoire is needed on here to provide an example of what the poster is trying to explain, especially if they are quoting a reported remark and even more especially if it is from the media.
I agree with not being rude, but then an ASSUMPTION of rudeness based on misunderstanding or not reading their words makes things worse.
Shouting them down does not help, in fact it is quite possible the most unhelpful thing you can do.

I'm not exactly sure what this argument is about but it would be good if it could get back on track as to whether the 457 system is being abused by empoyers.

The offensive phrase in one of the early posts ""gooks and curry munchers" is NOT to be used on BE - it causes offence, and is totally unnecessary. Beyond that, disagree with each other by all means, just do it politely and within the rules

This is a genuine question and comment.
Now when I first came over here I always thought the term Paki was racist and even stated so on here. But, reading it on the back pages of Newspapers here (usually aroind the cricket season!!), hearing it on the radio and TV and the retorts I got on here from other ex pats was that IN AUSTRALIA its use is as an abbreviation of Pakistani, understandable I suppose.
So, where in Australia is it offensive to say Paki as a racist or inappropriate comment? Bear in mind I am saying IN AUSTRALIA, that's where we all live now isn't it? Isn't POM an abbreviation as well? Isn't Yank a term we all use yet some Americans find offensive?
The reason I am bringing this up is because to call someone racist or to 'warn' them of racial or offensive or inappropriate terms you have to ensure that in their environment it IS classed as such.
Oh, as a caveat I don't use the term but that's through years of knowing it as offensive in the UK because of its aggressive intonement but when Ozzies use it (oh hold on, is that offensive to some Australians because it is a poor abbreviation??) I no longer look on aghast.
WHO defines it as inappropriate and is this subjective or from a list of recognised 'non use' terms.
I know that sometimes I can be somewhat mischievous and throw a remark or comment in for effect, but this is a genuine comment.
Oh, for the OP I think the anti 457 stuff is merely scaremongering by some people who should know better and playing to the ignorant minority. Some people are fearful for their jobs and so are reacting to a few choice words by ill advised politicians and local union guys.

Becoming immune to a word through hearing it repeatedly doesn't mean that the word becomes acceptable. I know plenty of Australians that wouldn't use the term. If people are describing Pakistanis, why not use the whole word? There are plenty of times where the word isn't being used in the traditional sense, as it's become a catch all derogatory word for asian. I personally don't use the term "Y**k" as I do have a lot of American friends & it's something that they find offensive. I wouldn't be offended if someone called me a pom, but I know that there are others that would be.

Now, as Pollyana has requested, let's stay on topic.

But this is part of the topic surely???
IMO the topic is based upon peoples perception of reasoning behind a 457 and its 'possible' impact in WA due to Gina Rineharts deal with the Federal government. The 'white australia' aspect of it is down to the language used and how a word, a statement or a an implied phrase can change the whole meaning of someones words.
During the course of this topic you decided to berate someone for using Paki and my question, a genuine question, is WHERE is this down as being racist or inappropiate when it IS commonly used in public media in Australia?