Australia is a settler nation which is now made up of many ethnic groups who share similar cultural traditions, common language, shared history and a shared identity (ABS, 2016). These groups contribute to what is referred to multiculturalism. Australia has a higher proportion of people born overseas than the US, Canada and the UK, with 49% of Australia’s population (or a parent) being born overseas (Census of Population and Housing, 2016). Compared to other Western nations, Australia has one of the most diverse immigration populations (Collins, 2013, p. 145). The meaning of multiculturalism in Australia has changed significantly over time. Today, Australia is a culturally and ethnically diverse country and therefore is a multicultural society. In terms of public policy, multiculturalism can be defined as policies and practices implemented by the Australian government that aim to manage cultural diversity to benefit the whole of society (Department of Social Services, 2014). Although Australia is a multicultural society, there are criticisms of public policy surrounding multiculturalism.
Multiculturalism has evolved and changed over time to become more inclusive of minority groups. From federation to the mid twentieth century the ‘White Australia Policy’ was enforced. This policy aimed to limit non-European migrants to enter Australia to preserve ‘white Australia’. The dictation test was also prevalent up until 1958 (Robertson, Hohmann, & Stewart, 2005, p. 241). This test
Unfortunately, many migrants that come to Australia find themselves in this situation, struggling to feel included and comfortable with their changing identities. However, these differences make it harder to belong to one group; they can also strengthen bonds with one another. The most immediate and obvious indicator of difference with migrant is that of
Multiculturalism in relation to Society and Culture is how persons work corporately in regards to their culture in a society. However, over time the growth of Australia's population has increase their culture in the country, yet the spectrum of persons in the media remains the same. Despite Australia having a multicultural policy that describe the "cultural and ethnic diversity of contemporary Australia". It is inefficient in the media, on a macro level. With the rise of media, there is a common trend with the persons in the industry being all Caucasian according to PWC recent report. This trend has interest me due to 6.7 million of Australians were born oversea. My interest is influenced by persons in the macro world, Osman Faruqi statement
Asian migration wave has had a significant impact on the Australian Political Policies as Asian it is a significant issue because it helped to make Australia richer and more culturally diverse today. It has also helped to change Political Policies to benefit other migrants positively. The slides hat follow allow you to observe present discussions and will also include an insight into the Asian Migration Wave, Impacts relating to Australia’s political policies as well as whether these impacts were continuous or changed.
Reports from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (2003a, 2003b, as cited in Ashman & Elkins, 2009, p. 7) show 25% of the Australian population is currently made up of migrants from around 200 countries. This fact demonstrates Australia, on the whole, has a tolerant and inclusive society. A society can be identified as a collection of people who live together in a relatively ordered community (Ashman & Elkins, 2009, p. 7). It could be said, Australia has one of the most inclusive societies on the planet; however, this was not always the case.
Whitlam’s ‘Multiculturalism’ policy of 1972 was committed to non racial discrimination in regards to immigration selection. This policy enabled immigrants from diverse cultures to migrate and practice their religions in Australia. Australia saw migrants and refugees come from South East Asian countries, who previously, under the “white Australia Policy” were not allowed migrant status. This change in policy allowed for the evolution of Buddhism (from Vietnamese countries) and the Muslim culture from Indonesia
Today in Australia this cultural diversity means that we are made up of a multitude of different cultures were minority cultures are no longer expected to give away their cultural identity to a dominant Australia culture. Instead these minority cultures influence the dominant culture and modifying it to an extent. Whereas integration expects everyone to adopt the main culture, cultural diversity or multiculturalism focuses on social harmony and accepts that Australia will be a nation of many different cultures and views under one nation.
Pedersen’s article is quite confrontational outlining the major issues that Australian individuals portray today, through their beliefs and thoughts about asylum seekers and Indigenous Australians. The sample group taken in Perth, is used as a representation of the wider population of Australia, with majority of Australians revealing a strong negative view against both groups. “It was found that people are becoming increasingly hostile” (Pedersen, A. Clarke, S. Dudgeon, P & Griffiths, B 2005) and are becoming ignorant and unsympathetic about the current situations that the two groups face today. This is mainly due to the general aspect of racism, being misinformed and uneducated about the events that these cultures have faced or are still dealing
Diller, J. V. (2015). Cultural diversity: a primer for the human services. Australia: Cengage Learning.
I’m writing a speech given by a High School Student that is in a club that holds debates every month about different topics. The primary audience will be the people in the club that are sympathetic to these ideas. I’m writing to challenge the dominant Australia ideology of multiculturalism.
Post Second World War Australia was a very traditional society. In the 1960’s to the 1970’s, tradition began to change. Just like any western country, Australia entered a period of liberalisation in politics, fashion, gender roles and religion/beliefs. The Vietnam War had helped shape a modern society that could question its government’s actions and choices to try change the world around it. A vast part of the liberalisation in Australia was witnessed by the end of the 70 year old ‘White Australia’ policy.
Multiculturalism is a broad concept that can be depicted in many manner being dependent on the individual. Essentially, it is the act of permitting people with disparate ethnic backgrounds to reside peacefully in the same society. Despite international criticism, especially from European countries, Canada’s multicultural policy has been in existence since 1971 (Archived Annual Report). Even within Canada, there is sometimes dissent about whether this concept works. However, the multiculturalism policy has indeed proven itself to be successful by benefitting citizens in numerous ways by allowing Canada to accustom itself to globalization, and compared to other countries without a multiculturalism policy, Canadian society has progressed further.
Australia has always been a multicultural country, the first immigrants that came to Australia were the British in 1788. During this phase of European settlement various policies were created to address cultural diversity. One of the most infamous policies was that of assimilation that forced Australian Aboriginal people and migrants to give up their own culture and heritage and assimilate to colonial Australian culture. Eventually this policy was revised to Multiculturalism. That as a policy in Australia refers to handling the ramifications of diversity, bearing in mind that all Australians have the right to a cultural identity, all citizens must be able to express their cultural inheritance. Whether Multiculturalism is advantageous for Australia or not is a very controversial topic. There is a side that argues that multiculturalism could threaten the lifestyle of many Australians. On the other hand, research demonstrates that from an Australian perspective it has been mostly advantageous. This essay will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of multiculturalism in Australia, with regard to economical, historical and social perspectives.
Migrants moved to Australia for many different reasons such as The Cold War, The Holocaust, new beginnings, work, communism, etc. Albeit Australia was welcoming people with open arms, the people of non-European backgrounds, or ‘Undesirables’ were not wanted in the country. People with non-European backgrounds who wanted to move to Australia had to face the Dictation test, which was a test were a person got told 50 words in a different language from their own, the test giver would not be allowed to pause or slow down. The Dictation test was often given in a language the person didn’t know so that way they were not able to get into
Although examples of multicultural societies have long existed such as Ottoman Empire, which reached its peak in the late sixteenth centuries, and the USA from the early nineteenth centaury onwards – the idea of multiculturalism is relatively new. It was first used in Canada in 1965 in order to solve issues of cultural diversity. Later on in 1971, multiculturalism was officially adopted as public policy with introduction of Multiculturalism Act in 1988. In early 1970s Australia formally declared itself as a multicultural country.
It’s easy to look at the world through rose colored glasses and see all the wonderful and good things that have happened. Having this optimistic view of life is a beautiful thing and helps us keep improving and growing in those directions. Sadly though, the truth persists in the fact that many of our modern practices and beliefs are failing us. Our civilization seems to be growing and achieving, but with every step upward another downward spiral is revealed. Our civilizations make strives for technology, and multiculturalism, and looks forwards to peace and prosperity, even as our technology threatens our existence, racial violence runs rampant, and we have recently experienced some of the most deadly wars of our time.