Omari Gates
Australia is often regarded as a fair and just country, with a unique culture that combines capitalism and a free market with a fair go ethos of looking out for one another. It has a proud history of democracy, a highly skilled workforce, and a strong economy. Australia was one of the first countries to grant women the right to vote, and it has been a committed member of the United Nations, contributing to peace and security operations worldwide. However, there are concerns about increasing income inequality and poverty rates, particularly affecting Indigenous people and those with long-term medical conditions or disabilities. The treatment of Indigenous Australians has been marked by conflict and mistreatment, and despite recent efforts toward reconciliation, significant disparities remain. While Australia promotes itself as a fair and just society, there are ongoing debates about the true extent of equality and the realization of egalitarian ideals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Democracy | Australia has a proud history of democracy and stable government. |
| Economy | Australia has one of the strongest performing economies in the world. |
| Equality | Australia has a Gini coefficient of 0.334, indicating a relatively high level of inequality. |
| Indigenous Rights | Australia has a history of mistreatment of Indigenous peoples, but recent efforts have been made towards reconciliation. |
| Social Welfare | There is an ongoing problem with poverty in Australia, with around 13% of the population living below the poverty line. |
| Opportunity | There is unequal access to social resources and opportunities for citizens from different backgrounds. |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's treatment of Indigenous peoples
Australia is a stable democracy with a strong economy and a proud history of cultural diversity. However, the treatment of Indigenous Australians has been marked by conflict and mistreatment. Indigenous Australians have lived on and managed the land for over 60,000 years, developing a variety of regional cultures, languages, artistic and religious traditions, and technologies for hunting and warfare. They consist of two distinct groups: Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders.
The early treatment of Indigenous Australians by colonial powers was characterised by violence and dispossession. Recent research indicates that at least 40,000 Aboriginal people and 2,000-2,500 colonists died in the frontier wars, with some estimates suggesting a minimum of 65,000 Aboriginal deaths in Queensland alone. The forcible removal of Indigenous children from their communities, known as the Stolen Generations, has also been a source of trauma and cultural loss.
Despite this history, Indigenous Australians continue to face barriers and discrimination in areas such as employment and education. A 2016 ABS report showed low employment rates among Indigenous people, with factors including job location, employer discrimination, and lack of education creating significant obstacles. Furthermore, Indigenous Australians who are employed are more likely to experience discrimination than those who are unemployed.
Since the 1960s, there have been efforts towards reconciliation. In 2008, the Australian Parliament passed a motion of Apology to Indigenous Australians, specifically acknowledging the wrongs committed against the Stolen Generations. Initiatives like the Indigenous-led Land Back movement and various Black community organisations are also actively working towards reclaiming land and advocating for financial restitution for civil and human rights violations.
While Australia has taken steps towards acknowledging and addressing past injustices, the ongoing discrimination and inequality faced by Indigenous Australians in areas like employment and education highlight the need for continued efforts to foster a more fair and just society for all.
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Equality of opportunity
Australia has a unique culture that combines capitalism and a free market with a culture of fairness and looking after each other. The idea of a "fair go" is a prominent part of Australian political discourse, with politicians from different ideological backgrounds using the term. However, the meaning of "fair go" is often vague and subjective, making it challenging to associate it with a precise definition.
While Australia has a strong history of democracy and a skilled workforce, there are concerns about equality of opportunity. Despite being a multicultural nation, Australia has faced criticism for its early treatment of Indigenous Australians, marked by conflict and mistreatment. In recent years, the government has worked towards reconciliation, including a formal apology to Indigenous Australians in 2008.
Moreover, Australia's Gini coefficient, a measure of income inequality, has increased over time, indicating a growing disparity between the top and bottom income earners. While Australia is more equal than the US, it falls behind the OECD average. This disparity is reflected in the basic needs of citizens, with 13% of the population living below the poverty line and 17% of Australian children experiencing poverty.
To promote equality of opportunity, some political theorists argue for a more equal distribution of social resources. John Rawls' difference principle suggests that inequalities are justifiable only if they benefit the least advantaged. This approach aims to balance equality with economic considerations, ensuring that efforts to reduce inequality do not inadvertently harm the poorest citizens.
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Inequality in disposable household income
Australia has a unique culture that combines capitalism and a free market with a culture of "fair go", or looking after each other. Despite this, inequality in disposable household income persists. The Gini coefficient, a measure of income inequality, rose from 0.309 in 1995 to 0.334 in 2010, indicating a growing disparity in income distribution. In 2008, the average income of the top 10% of Australians was nearly ten times that of the bottom 10%.
Wages are a significant contributor to income inequality in Australia. The highest 20% income group earns nearly three times the average wages of the middle 20% and significantly more than the lowest 20%. Employment status also plays a role in income inequality, with only 24% of adults in the lowest 20% income group having paid employment, compared to 68% in the middle 20% and 87% in the highest 20%.
Wealth inequality has also increased, particularly among younger people. The average value of shares, financial and business assets, and investment properties held by younger households has grown, making it harder for them to purchase their own homes.
While Australia has a strong history of democracy and a successful global economy, ranking 14th largest in the world before the COVID-19 pandemic, income and wealth inequality remain prevalent. The country's Indigenous peoples have also faced mistreatment and injustices, including the forced removal of Indigenous children from their families, known as the Stolen Generations.
Overall, while Australia promotes a culture of fairness, there are significant disparities in disposable household income that depart from this ideal.
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The country's egalitarian political theorists
Australia has a unique culture that combines capitalism and a free market with a culture of fairness and looking after each other. The country's politicians, interest groups, and political and social commentators have long drawn on the idea of the "fair go". Despite their ideological differences, Australia's last four prime ministers have all used the term at some point.
However, the term "fair go" is used in a range of contexts, and it is difficult to associate it with any precise meaning. It generally stands for whatever the person using the term regards as fair or just, although it usually has an egalitarian flavour. Political theorists who devote themselves to analysing political values and concepts differ over what an egalitarian approach to fairness and justice requires. At the most basic level, most egalitarians agree that justice and fairness demand that all citizens have their basic needs met.
Some egalitarian political theorists take the idea further, arguing that justice and fairness require a more equal distribution of social resources, not just equal opportunities. There are a variety of different reasons for this. Some defend the idea because of the beneficial social consequences it has. Others challenge the distinction between “natural” and “social” forms of inequality, arguing that we should be concerned about inequalities resulting from differences in our natural abilities, not just our social environment.
Perhaps the most influential approach in the post-war period is John Rawls’ difference principle, which states that inequalities are only justified if “they are to the greatest benefit of the least advantaged”. This means that we should aim for equality in the distribution of social resources, but not to the point that we damage the economy and leave the poorest citizens worse off than they were before.
Despite Australia's reputation for fairness, there are still significant ways in which Australian society seems to depart from this idea. Australia's Gini coefficient in disposable household income was 0.309 in 1995 but increased to 0.334 in 2010. In 2011, the OECD reported that according to 2008 figures, “the average income of the top 10% of Australians was … nearly 10 times higher than that of the bottom 10%”. Australia is more unequal than the OECD average.
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Australia's role in the United Nations
Australia has played a significant role in the United Nations (UN) since its founding in 1945, when it was one of the first countries to join. Australia's foreign policy has been informed by the UN's underlying principles and purposes: maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations, and achieving global cooperation. Australia regards the UN as a vital forum for influencing world affairs, promoting stability, and defending its security and sovereignty.
As a founding member, Australia actively participated in the 1945 San Francisco Conference, where its delegation played a significant role in drafting the UN Charter, particularly the articles dealing with the Security Council. Australia argued against allowing permanent members a veto power and continues to support reform of the Security Council to better reflect the modern world and ensure accessibility for small and middle-sized countries.
Australia is a significant financial contributor to the UN, ranking as the 12th or 13th largest contributor. From 2004 to 2006, Australia contributed more than US$87 million, including a regular budget, peacekeeping costs, and contributions to International Tribunals. Australia has also provided voluntary funding to many UN agencies, with the level of support based on the agency's relevance to Australia's aid program priorities and focus on the Asia-Pacific region.
Australia has a strong history of participating in UN peacekeeping operations, with Australians being the first peacekeepers to serve under UN auspices in Indonesia in 1947. Since then, over 65,000 Australians have served in more than 50 peace and security operations worldwide. Seven Australians have commanded or led multinational peacekeeping operations, and unfortunately, nine Australian peacekeepers have lost their lives on UN missions.
Australia has also been an elected member of the United Nations Security Council on five occasions and played a role in establishing the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. In 2013, Australia announced its first bid for election to the Human Rights Council for 2018-2020, demonstrating its commitment to promoting human rights and responding to violations and emergencies.
In recent years, Australia has worked constructively within the UN to address global challenges, such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on climate change. Australia is committed to taking responsible action on climate change, setting ambitious targets for reducing emissions. Additionally, Australia supports gender equality across the international agenda, recognising its importance for growth, development, and stability.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Australia has a history of conflict and mistreatment of its Indigenous population. In 2008, the Australian Parliament passed a motion of Apology to Indigenous Australians for past mistreatment and injustices, especially the Stolen Generations, who were Indigenous children forcibly removed from their families. National Sorry Day is held every year on 26 May to remember and acknowledge this mistreatment.
Australia has a culture of "fair go", which generally stands for whatever the person using the term regards as fair or just, although it generally has an egalitarian flavour. However, there are still significant ways in which Australian society departs from this idea. There is an ongoing problem with poverty in Australia, with recent research suggesting that the relative poverty rate has been between 10% and 14% of households since 2000. Additionally, the average income of the top 10% of Australians was nearly 10 times higher than that of the bottom 10% in 2008.
Australia is more equal than the US but more unequal than the OECD average. Australia has a strong and open economy and was the world's 14th largest economy before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Australia is also a stable, democratic, and culturally diverse nation with a highly skilled workforce.
