Ruqayyah Snyder
Racism is a form of discrimination where a person or group is treated unfairly because of their ethnic group. Racism exists in Australia, and it has been a growing problem. Since the European invasion in 1788, race and racism have been foundational to the logic of Australian settler colonialism and the processes by which the lands were stolen and settled. While racism in Australia is not limited to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, they have a unique experience of racism as the continent's First Peoples and continue to endure the legacies of colonisation. Racism in Australia has manifested in various ways, including segregation, racist immigration and naturalisation laws, and internment camps. In recent years, racist incidents have been reported across Australian society, from public transport to essential institutions such as education and healthcare.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Racism in Australia is not limited to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have unique experiences of racism |
| Racism has been foundational to the logic of Australian settler colonialism | First Nations People have unique experiences of racism |
| Racial discrimination profoundly affects the lives of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islanders, and people from culturally diverse backgrounds | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are dealing with the effects of past laws and government policies |
| Racism is a growing problem in Australia | Racist incidents have been reported in almost all aspects of Australian society |
| Australians born in Asian countries are more likely to experience discrimination | More than 1 in 3 Australians born overseas of non-English-speaking backgrounds experienced discrimination |
| Australians of African descent are viewed through a lens of "Africanness" associated with a lack of civilisation, disease, dirt, war, and poverty | Australians of African descent are subjected to discrimination, criminalisation, and racialisation |
| Australians of Chinese, Indian, and Southeast Asian descent are more likely to experience discrimination |
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What You'll Learn
Racism against Indigenous Australians
Racism is a growing problem in Australia, and it has been foundational to the logic of Australian settler colonialism. The Indigenous peoples of Australia have faced severe restrictions on their political, social, and economic freedoms, and have suffered genocide, forced removals, and massacres, and continue to face discrimination. They have a unique experience of racism as the continent's First Peoples, and continue to endure the legacies of colonisation.
A recent national survey revealed a near 40% rise in racism towards Indigenous Australians during the past decade, with younger First Nations people reporting higher levels of racism than other age groups. The most common types of racism experienced are negative attitudes or stereotyping and discrimination. This is reflected in a study of young people in the ACT, where 11 out of 12 young people who identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander said they had experienced racism.
Indigenous Australians also face racist government policies and community attitudes. They often face racism and prejudice in healthcare, resulting in inadequate care and a distrust of the system. In 2016, police raids on Palm Island were found to have breached the Racial Discrimination Act 1975, with a record class action settlement of $30 million awarded to victims in May 2018. The courts deemed the raids to be "racist" and "unnecessary, disproportionate", with police behaviour influenced by dealing with an Aboriginal community.
Racism in Australia is systemic and has been embedded in its culture, communities, and individuals. It has manifested in various ways, including segregation, racist immigration laws, and internment camps. While there are laws in place to protect individuals from racial discrimination, powerful people continue to abuse human rights, and Australia currently lacks a federal Human Rights Act. Implementing such an act is necessary to protect the fundamental freedoms and rights of all Australians.
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Racial discrimination in renting
Racism is a growing problem in Australia, with Indigenous Australians, African Australians, and refugees facing discrimination in various aspects of life. This is also true in the rental sector, where discrimination is widespread. While tenancy legislation varies across states and territories, it is generally unlawful for landlords and real estate agents to discriminate based on age, disability, race, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, or caring responsibilities. However, despite these laws, many tenants still experience discrimination when applying for rental properties.
An Australian survey of private renters found that 50% of respondents had experienced discrimination in the private rental sector. While the most common form of discrimination was based on pet ownership, 6% of respondents reported discrimination based on race. This form of discrimination disproportionately affects refugees, with 35% reporting that they had experienced discrimination while searching for housing, most commonly due to their race.
The rental application process can trigger implicit bias among landlords and real estate agents, and there is a lack of standardisation in the information requested from tenants. This results in a higher risk of bias during the selection process. Additionally, "agent-prejudice" occurs when an agent has a personal bias against a particular racial or ethnic minority and is therefore unwilling to rent to someone from that background. This can manifest in various ways, such as assuming that a person from a particular racial or ethnic background would be better suited to a lower-income area or housing of poorer quality.
Discrimination in the rental sector can also take more indirect and systemic forms. For example, requests for evidence of rental history and stable employment can disproportionately affect refugees, especially when such requests are not accommodated in languages other than English. This creates additional barriers for refugees, who may already face challenges due to their legal status and limited access to necessary documentation.
To address these issues, tenants who believe they have been discriminated against can make a complaint to the Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW (ADB) or the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC). These organisations can provide guidance and support to individuals facing discrimination in the rental sector. However, it is important to note that the time frame for lodging a complaint is limited, and it is recommended to seek advice as soon as possible.
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Racist government policies
Racism in Australia has been a prevalent issue since British colonisation. The Indigenous peoples of Australia, comprising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, have faced severe restrictions on their political, social, and economic freedoms, and have suffered genocide, forced removals, massacres, and continue to face discrimination.
One example of racist government policy is the White Australia Policy, which was enacted through various laws and practices. The Immigration Restriction Act of 1901, for instance, was designed to bar "aboriginal natives of Asia, Africa, or the islands thereof". The Barton government also conceived of the "Education Test", later called the "Dictation Test", which allowed Customs Officers to block unwanted migrants by forcing them to sit for a test in "any European language".
Another example of racist government policy is the Northern Territory National Emergency Response, launched in 2007 by the Howard government. This policy was widely condemned as racist and included measures that undermined the legal recognition of Indigenous land rights in Australia. The response included the exemption from the Racial Discrimination Act 1975, the compulsory acquisition of an unspecified number of prescribed communities, and the partial abolition of the permit system.
Furthermore, during World War II, ethnic-Japanese and ethnic-Taiwanese individuals were interned in camps due to anti-espionage/collaboration policies enforced by the Australian government. These individuals were primarily innocent civilians who were arrested for racist reasons.
In addition to these historical policies, modern-day Australia continues to grapple with racist incidents and attitudes. For instance, in 2016, police raids on Palm Island were found to have breached the Racial Discrimination Act 1975, resulting in a record class-action settlement of $30 million awarded to victims. The raids were deemed "racist" and "unnecessary, disproportionate", with police actions influenced by the fact that they were dealing with an Aboriginal community.
While Australia has made some strides towards addressing racism, including the passage of the Racial Discrimination Act in 1975 and subsequent amendments, racist government policies have undoubtedly played a significant role in shaping the country's history and continue to impact the lives of Indigenous and minority communities today.
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Racist police behaviour
Racism is a growing problem in Australia, and it has manifested in various ways, including segregation, racist immigration and naturalisation laws, and internment camps. Racist behaviour is also prevalent in the Australian police force, with several instances of racial profiling and police brutality reported.
In 2016, police raids and behaviour on Palm Island following a death in custody were found to have breached the Racial Discrimination Act 1975. The raids were deemed "racist" and "unnecessary, disproportionate", with police acting in these ways because they were dealing with an Aboriginal community. This incident resulted in a record class-action settlement of $30 million awarded to the victims in May 2018.
Racial profiling, a widespread phenomenon internationally, has also been identified in the Victoria Police force. While Victoria Police introduced a ban on racial profiling in 2015, there is currently no mechanism in place to monitor its prevalence or enforce the ban. Research has shown that specific stereotypes are commonly used by police officers to classify people based on their ethnic origin, particularly targeting young men of African descent. This has resulted in the criminalisation and humiliation of individuals and communities, impacting their health, inclusion, and sense of belonging.
Additionally, institutional racism targeting Indigenous Australians has suppressed Aboriginal families from speaking out about police brutality. Legal structures such as non-publication or suppression orders have prevented the identification of police officers involved in incidents, keeping these issues out of the public eye. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have raised concerns about First Nations deaths in custody, but media coverage often perpetuates negative narratives that justify police violence against them.
The unique experiences of racism faced by First Nations People in Australia are shaped by the violent history of colonialism and dispossession. Indigenous Australians have faced severe restrictions on their freedoms and continue to endure racist government policies and community attitudes. As a result, they are disproportionately affected by police brutality and incarceration rates, with limited recourse for justice.
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Racism against African-Australians
Racism is a growing problem in Australia, with Indigenous Australians, African-Australians, and other minority groups facing discrimination and harassment. While Australia has laws protecting human rights, such as freedom of religion, racist incidents have been reported in various aspects of Australian society, including public transport, education, and healthcare.
African-Australians, in particular, face significant discrimination and are often viewed through a lens of negative stereotypes. "Africanness" in Australia is often associated with a lack of civilisation, disease, dirt, war, and poverty. These perceptions are rooted in racist and discriminatory assumptions about black people, and African-Australians frequently experience discrimination, criminalisation, and racialisation in their interactions with the majority society. There is also a strong negative association between Africanness and criminality in Australian culture, which is reflected in media portrayals.
Indigenous Australians, comprising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, have a long history of facing severe restrictions on their political, social, and economic freedoms. They have endured genocide, forced removals, massacres, and continue to experience discrimination in various forms, including racist government policies and community attitudes. For example, in 2016, police raids on Palm Island were found to have breached the Racial Discrimination Act 1975, resulting in a $30 million settlement for victims. Additionally, Aboriginal youth are disproportionately targeted by the police for compliance and bail checks, as evidenced by a report by the Justice and Equity Centre.
Other minority groups in Australia have also faced discrimination and xenophobic exclusion, including Jews, Italians, and the Irish. Racism has manifested in segregation, racist immigration laws, and internment camps. The rise in nationalism and the establishment of autonomous parliaments have contributed to a unified Australian Federation. However, this has also led to a unified form of racism that permeates the country.
To address racism, Australia needs to confront the issue head-on, examining the root causes and taking a courageous and honest approach. Implementing a federal Human Rights Act and improving laws to protect fundamental freedoms and human rights are essential steps towards creating a more inclusive and respectful society.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, racism towards Indigenous Australians is prevalent. They have faced severe restrictions on their political, social, and economic freedoms, and have suffered genocide, forced removals, and massacres. They continue to face discrimination, negative stereotypes, and racist government policies.
No, racism in Australia is not limited to Indigenous Australians. People from various backgrounds, including European, African, Asian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, Latin American, and North American Australians, have experienced discrimination and harassment. Racism can manifest in various forms, such as segregation, racist immigration laws, and internment camps.
Racism has had detrimental effects on the health, mental well-being, and opportunities of Indigenous Australians. They experience higher rates of poor health, mental illness, and family breakdowns. Additionally, many Indigenous Australians face limitations in accessing opportunities and resources available to Anglo-Australians.
