Omari Gates
Australia has come a long way since its White Australia policy, which was dismantled after World War II. In 1973, Minister for Immigration Al Grassby issued a reference paper entitled A multi-cultural society for the future, and in 1975, the Prime Minister referred to Australia as a multicultural nation. Today, multiculturalism in Australia is reflected in the diversity of its people, its immigration policies, its prohibition on discrimination, equality before the law, and cultural policies that promote diversity. According to the 2011 census, 26% of the population were born overseas, and a further 20% had at least one parent born overseas. However, critics of multiculturalism in Australia argue that it threatens to transform the country into a cluster of tribes. This debate raises important questions about Australia's cultural and ethnic diversity and the challenges and opportunities that come with it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Immigration policies | From 1911 to 1947, the proportion of people in Australia who were born overseas dropped to 9.8%. Since 2006, the proportion of people who were born overseas has increased sharply, influenced by changes to Australia's immigration policies. |
| Diversity | According to the 2011 census, 26% of the population were born overseas, and a further 20% had at least one parent born overseas. Aboriginal Australians make up approximately 2.5% of the population. |
| Multicultural policies | In 1978, the first official national multicultural policies were implemented by the Fraser government. |
| Discrimination prohibition | Australia has laws prohibiting discrimination and ensuring equality before the law for all persons. |
| Cultural policies | Australia has various cultural policies that promote diversity, such as the formation of the Special Broadcasting Service. |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's immigration policies
One of the earliest influences on Australia's immigration policies was the White Australia Policy, which was in force from Federation in 1901 until its gradual dismantling after World War II and its eventual end in 1973. This policy restricted the entry of non-White immigrants, particularly those of non-European ethnic origins. The policy was driven by the belief that Australia should remain predominantly White to avoid social and cultural problems experienced in other parts of the world.
Following World War II, Australia experienced a significant shift in its immigration policies. With the threat of a Japanese invasion still fresh, the country launched a massive immigration program, believing it must "populate or perish." This period saw a large influx of immigrants from Europe, including many British subjects under the Assisted Passage Migration Scheme, as well as citizens from other Commonwealth countries.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Australia began to move away from its assimilationist approach, recognizing the hardships faced by migrants, especially those with a non-English background. This shift culminated in 1973 when Al Grassby, the Minister for Immigration, issued a reference paper entitled "A multi-cultural society for the future." Subsequently, in 1975, the Racial Discrimination Act was proclaimed, and in 1978, the Fraser government implemented the first official national multicultural policies.
Today, Australia continues to embrace multiculturalism and has seen a large wave of immigration from diverse countries, with Asia being the largest source of immigrants in the 21st century. The country's immigration policies prioritize skilled migration and family reunion programs, with a focus on economic growth and regional collaboration. Recent initiatives, such as the National Innovation visa, aim to attract talented migrants in sectors of national importance.
While Australia has made significant progress in its immigration policies, there have been concerns raised about human rights violations, particularly regarding the treatment of children in immigration detention centres. The country is working to address these issues and improve its migration decision-review systems, with a focus on fairness and efficiency.
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The White Australia policy
Australia is a multicultural country today, with a significant portion of the population being foreign-born or having immigrant backgrounds. However, this was not always the case. From Federation until after the Second World War, Australia adhered to the White Australia Policy, which aimed to maintain a predominantly white, European population in Australia. This policy emerged from fears among white Australians, particularly of British descent, that an influx of non-white immigrants, especially from China, threatened their job security and the racial composition of the nation.
The Immigration Restriction Bill of 1901 officially codified the White Australia Policy, giving immigration officers the power to make any non-European migrant sit for a 50-word dictation test. This law entrenched the restrictions on non-white immigration that had been building over the previous decades. The White Australia Policy remained in effect until after World War II when external pressures, such as the need for American military cooperation, led to a gradual transformation of immigration laws.
Successive governments dismantled the policy in stages, with the Chifley and Menzies governments encouraging non-British Europeans to immigrate to Australia. The Holt government removed discrimination against non-white applicants for citizenship in 1966, and the Whitlam government passed the Racial Discrimination Act in 1975, making race-based selection criteria for immigration unlawful. In the decades since, Australia has maintained large-scale multi-ethnic immigration, with people from any country able to apply to immigrate as long as they meet the criteria set out in law.
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Multiculturalism as a political priority
Multiculturalism in Australia is reflected in the diverse composition of its people, its immigration policies, its prohibition on discrimination, equality before the law, and cultural policies that promote diversity. Since World War II, the proportion of overseas-born and second-generation migrants in Australia has steadily increased, with 26% of the population born overseas and 20% with at least one parent born overseas, according to the 2011 census. The recognition of multiculturalism as a political priority in Australia has evolved over time.
Historically, Australia adhered to the White Australia Policy, which aimed to maintain a predominantly white population. However, by the mid-1960s, policies began to shift away from assimilation expectations, acknowledging the challenges faced by migrants, particularly those with a non-English background. This shift led to increased government expenditure on migrant assistance and welfare in the early 1970s.
In 1973, Al Grassby, the Minister for Immigration in the Whitlam government, issued a reference paper titled "A multi-cultural society for the future." This marked a significant step toward recognising multiculturalism as a political priority. In 1975, during a ceremony proclaiming the Racial Discrimination Act 1975, the Prime Minister referred to Australia as a "multicultural nation," indicating that multiculturalism was gaining bipartisan support.
The Australian Ethnic Affairs Council, appointed to advise the Fraser Liberal-Country Party Government, played a pivotal role in 1977. Their report, "Australia as a Multicultural Society," recommended a public policy of multiculturalism. This led to the implementation of the first official national multicultural policies by the Fraser government in 1978, in alignment with the Galbally Report's suggestions.
The recognition of multiculturalism as a political priority in Australia has had a significant impact on the country's social fabric. It has promoted cultural diversity, encouraged the absorption of diverse food, lifestyles, and cultural practices into mainstream Australian culture, and fostered a more inclusive society that values equality and prohibits discrimination.
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The impact of migration on Australian culture
Australia's cultural diversity is reflected in the multicultural composition of its people, its immigration policies, its prohibition on discrimination, equality before the law, and cultural policies that promote diversity. Migration has had a profound impact on Australian culture, shaping its society and cultural practices.
Historically, Australia's migration patterns were dominated by England, Ireland, and Scotland, with over 1 million migrants from the United Kingdom arriving between 1947 and 1981. This trend continued throughout the second half of the 20th century, with policies aimed at increasing Australia's population. However, the country's approach to migration and multiculturalism has evolved significantly over time.
From Federation until after World War II, Australia adhered to the White Australia Policy, which aimed to maintain the country as "the home of the descendants of those people who came here in peace... to establish... an outpost of the British race." This policy was dismantled after World War II, and in the mid-1960s to 1973, the final vestiges were removed, marking a shift towards recognizing the value of multiculturalism. The expectations for migrants to assimilate and shed their cultural identities were replaced with a growing understanding of the hardships faced by many migrants, particularly those with a non-English background.
In 1973, Al Grassby, the Minister for Immigration in the Whitlam government, issued a reference paper entitled "A multi-cultural society for the future." This was followed by the implementation of the first official national multicultural policies by the Fraser government in 1978. These policies acknowledged the importance of cultural diversity and the need to support migrant settlement, marking a significant shift in Australia's approach to migration and its impact on the country's culture.
Since then, Australia has witnessed a steady increase in the proportion of overseas-born and second-generation migrants, with 26% of the population born overseas and 20% having at least one parent born overseas, according to the 2011 census. Migration has brought diverse food, lifestyle, and cultural practices to Australia, enriching the country's cultural landscape. Areas like Auburn in western Sydney have become diverse hubs, with 61.7% of the population born overseas in 2021.
In conclusion, migration has had a profound and ongoing impact on Australian culture. The shift from assimilationist policies to embracing multiculturalism has shaped Australia's society, leading to a richer, more diverse, and inclusive nation. The impact of migration on Australia's culture is evident in its people, policies, and the everyday lives of its citizens, making it a truly multicultural country.
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Measuring Australia's cultural diversity
Australia has come a long way since its days of the White Australia policy, which aimed to maintain the country as "the home of the descendants of those people who came [...] to establish in the South Seas an outpost of the British race". The country has since embraced multiculturalism, with the implementation of national multicultural policies in 1978, and the recognition of multiculturalism as a major political priority.
Australia's cultural diversity can be measured in several ways, including through census data, which captures the country's ethnic and cultural makeup, as well as through observing the country's immigration policies, its prohibition on discrimination, and its cultural policies that promote diversity.
Immigration and Population Statistics
Since World War II, Australia has experienced a steady increase in the proportion of overseas-born and second-generation migrants, with the 2011 census reporting that 26% of the population were born overseas and 20% had at least one parent born overseas. In 2021, the area with the highest proportion of overseas-born residents was Auburn in western Sydney, with 61.7% of the population born outside of Australia. The most common countries of birth have shifted over time, with England, Ireland, and Scotland being the primary sources of migrants in the first half of the 20th century, and the United Kingdom accounting for over 1 million migrants between 1947 and 1981. In recent years, the proportion of people born in England has decreased, while the overall proportion of overseas-born individuals has increased, influenced by changes to immigration policies and an increase in skilled migrants.
Cultural Diversity and Absorption
Australia's diverse migrant communities have brought with them a range of foods, lifestyles, and cultural practices, which have been absorbed into mainstream Australian culture. This absorption of diverse cultures is a significant indicator of Australia's multiculturalism.
Anti-Discrimination and Equality
Australia's commitment to multiculturalism is also reflected in its prohibition on discrimination and its promotion of equality before the law for all persons. This legal framework ensures that individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds are afforded equal rights and opportunities, contributing to a more inclusive society.
Cultural Policies
Additionally, Australia has implemented cultural policies that actively promote diversity, such as the formation of the Special Broadcasting Service. These initiatives contribute to the country's multicultural fabric by celebrating and promoting diverse cultural expressions and representations.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Australia is a multicultural country. According to the 2011 census, 26% of the population were born overseas, and a further 20% had at least one parent born overseas.
No, historically Australia adhered to a "'White Australia' policy, which aimed to keep the country white and prevent people of other races from immigrating to the country. This policy was dismantled after World War II with the recognition that many migrants experienced hardships when settling in Australia and required assistance.
The "White Australia" policy was a result of the expectation that migrants should assimilate into the host population, shedding their cultures and languages. This policy was supported by Prime Ministers John Curtin and Stanley Bruce, who believed it was necessary to maintain the "'British race'" in Australia.
Multiculturalism became a major political priority in 1975 when the Prime Minister referred to Australia as a "multicultural nation" during a ceremony proclaiming the Racial Discrimination Act 1975. The first official national multicultural policies were implemented in 1978 by the Fraser government.
Australia's multiculturalism is reflected in its immigration policies, prohibition on discrimination, equality before the law, and cultural policies that promote diversity. Australia's diverse migrant communities have brought with them food, lifestyle, and cultural practices that have been absorbed into mainstream Australian culture.
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