MULTICULTURALISM IN
AUSTRALIA
By Vanessa Locke, Dina Danias, Katie
Glynn and Jacqueline Rogers
DEFINITION OF MULTICULTURALISM
 Multiculturalism
is the doctrine that
several different cultures (rather than one
national culture) can coexist peacefully
and equitably in a single country.
AL GRASSBY
Al Grassby is considered the father of
multiculturalism. The reason for this is because
in 1972 when he became Minister of
Immigration.
 While being Minister of Immigration he was
considered “A one person propaganda” reasons
for this is because he acknowledged the benefits
of multiculturalism and strived to increase
migration from non- English speaking countries.
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HISTORY OF MULTICULTURALISM IN
AUSTRALIA
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Australia did not always have a policy of
multiculturalism, it has been developing over the past
decades.
In 1972, the Minister for Immigration, the Hon. Al
Grassby called to abandon the assimilation policy, as
the Government investigation (known as the Galbally
Report ) into Australian migrants found that they
were socially, politically and economically
disadvantaged.
"The government also saw that forcing these
communities to abandon their culture and adopt an
Australian way of life was futile."
This therefore saw that a policy of multiculturalism
would benefit Australia in a variety of ways.
WHAT IS MULTICULTURALISM?
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‘Multicultural’ is simply a term which describes the cultural diversity of contemporary Australia, in which
Australia is known to be a multicultural society.
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A multiculturalism policy includes the Australian government to respond to this diversity. It plays no part in
migrant selection; however it is a policy for managing the consequences of cultural diversity in the interests
of the individual and society as a whole.
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The Commonwealth Government has identified three dimensions of multicultural policy:
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Cultural Identity: the right of all Australians, within carefully defined limited, to express and share their
individual cultural heritage, including their language and religion;
Social Justice: the right of all Australians to equality of treatment and opportunity, and the removal of
barriers of race, ethnicity, culture, religion, language, gender or place of birth;
Economic Efficiency: the need to maintain, develop and utilize effectively the skills and talents of all
Australians, regardless of background.
These three dimensions of the policy apply equally to all Australians, whether Aboriginal, Anglo-Celtic or
non-English speaking background; and whether they were born in Australia or overseas.
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However, there are limits to Australian Multiculturalism;
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Multicultural Policies are based upon the grounds of all Australians should have a want or need to commit
to Australia.
Multicultural Policies require all Australians to accept the basic principles of Australian society such as: The
Constitution, Australian law, equality, Parliamentary democracy, freedom of speech and religion, English as
the national language and equality of the sexes;
Multicultural Policies force obligations as well as allowing rights: the right to express one's own culture and
beliefs involves a reciprocal responsibility to accept the right of others to express their views and values
MULTICULTURALISM TIMELINE:
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The first Australians: For many thousands of years, Aboriginal societies and Torres Strait
Islander societies live on the Australian continent. Estimates suggest there are some 700 different
cultural groups speaking 250 different languages.
1606: Earliest record contact between Aboriginal people and Europeans by crew of the Dutch ship
Dwyflken under Captain Willem Jansz. During the 1600s parts of the Australian coast become
known to the Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch British and French.
1788: The First Fleet arrives Sydney, home of the Eora people, with some 60 nationalities among
the crew and convicts.
1810: Aboriginal missions set up. Different religious groups established in colony.
1820: Conflict between European settlers and Aboriginal people continues with many Aboriginal
people killed.
1830: Migration expands-assisted migration from Britain, labourers from Asia and South Sea
Islands, Germans settle in SA. First ethnic schools. Aboriginal people killed at Myall Creek, NSW
and Pinjarra,WA.
1840: Migrants include people from Greece, China, Italy, Germany, Hungary, Spanish
missionaries, Irish convicts. Killing of Aboriginal people continues.
1850: Gold rushes bring migrants from any countries, particularly China. Large numbers of Irish
then come. Anti-Chinese legislation passed.
1860: Migration continues as do Aboriginal killings. First Afghan cameleers arrive. South Sea
Islanders kidnapped for work. Anti-Chinese riots break out. First government station in Torres
Strait Islanders.
1880: Legislation to restrict immigration. Kidnapping of South Sea Islanders continues. Aboriginal
children removed from families in Victoria
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1890: Depression reduces immigration. First foreign language newspaper. Aboriginal reserves set
up. Dictation test introduced to exclude non-European migration
1900: Federation of Australia. Aboriginal people denied citizenship. ‘White Australia Policy’
introduced. Pacific Islanders deported.
1920: Immigration increases favoring British and northern Europeans. Australian Aborigines’
Progressive Association established. Coniston massacre, NT-30 Aboriginal people killed.
1930: Anti-immigration feeling during depression. Assimilation of Indigenous people adopted as
national policy.
1950: Treatment of ‘non-whites’ causes international concern. Dictation test abolished. Assisted
migration from some countries.
1960: Policy of integration for migrants. ‘Freedom ride’ for Aboriginal rights. Referendum for
Aboriginal rights passed. SA first state to pass anti-racism legislation.
1970: Increased diversity among new migrants. Aboriginal flag is flown for the first time.
Aboriginal Tent Embassy and Department of Aboriginal Affairs set up. Multiculturalism and
multicultural services established. Racial Discrimination Act passed.
1973: The term multiculturalism had been introduced and migrant groups were forming state and
national associations to maintain their cultures and promote the survival of their languages and
heritages with mainstream institutions. Al Grassby, Labor Minister for Immigration issued a
reference paper entitled A multi-cultural society for the future.
1977: The Australian Ethnic Affairs Council, appointed to advise the Fraser Liberal-Country
Party Government, recommended a public policy of multiculturalism in its report Australia as a
multicultural society.
1978: The first official national multicultural policies were implemented by the Fraser
Government, in accord with recommendations of the Galbally Report in the context of the
government programs and services for migrants.
1979: An act of parliament established the Australian Institute of Multicultural Affairs (AIMA)
whose objectives included raising awareness of cultural diversity and promoting social cohesion,
understanding and tolerance.
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1986: the AIMA Act was repealed by the Labor Government, which in 1987 created the office of
Multicultural Affairs (OMA) in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
1989: Following community consultations and drawing the on the advice of the Advisory Council
for Multicultural Affairs, the Labor Government produced the National Agenda for a Multicultural
Australia which had bipartisan political support.
1990: ATSIC and Council for Reconciliation are established. Torres Strait Islands flag down for
first time. Native title- Mabo and Wik decisions. Racial Hatred Act passed. Republic referendum
held and lost. Temporary protection provided to refugees from East-Timor. Bi-partisan
Parliamentary Statement on Racial Tolerance.
1994: A National Multicultural Advisory Council was established to review and update the
national agenda. Its report, launched in June 1995 found that much had been achieved and
recommended further initiatives.
1996: Following the election of the Liberal-National Party Government in March 1996, OMA was
absorbed into the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs. Parliament endorsed the
Parliamentary Statement on Racial Tolerance.
1997: The government announced the a new National Multicultural Advisory Council (NMAC)
1999: The PM, Mr. Howard launched NMAC’s report, Australian Multicultural for a New Century:
Towards inclusiveness. Government issued its multicultural policy.
2000: Australians march in support of Reconciliation. Corroboree 2000
2003: The government released its multicultural policy statement, Multicultural Australia: United
in Diversity. It updated the 1999 new agenda.
AUSTRALIA’S SUCCESS IN
MULTICULTURALISM
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The Australian post-war immigration program was an exercise in
nation building and established Migration. The reason for
Australia’s success in Migration is mainly because Australian
culture is said to be ‘egalitarian’. From Migration comes
multiculturalism. The Australian society is said to be proud to live in
a cohesive and inclusive society in which cultures, languages and
religions of millions of Australians have transformed the social and
cultural landscape. There has been very little conflict as a result of
multiculturalism and migration; hence this proves that Australia
has been successful in migration. Another reason for Australia’s
success is that Australia’s Federal Governments have established
and funded organisations such as; The Australian Institute of
Multicultural Affairs, The Office of Multicultural Affairs, The
Bureau of Immigration, and Multicultural & Population Research.
Organisations such as these assist migrants with their new life and
allow them to become able in functioning in their new environment.
Australia is a nation of migrants with over 6 million immigrants
since the end of WWII. Australia is one of the most culturally diverse
societies in the world, with over 40% either born overseas or had at
least one parent born overseas.
MULTICULTURALISM IN AUSTRALIA
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It has been said that ‘Australia is now a multicultural society’; however there
are several views on this statement. One view is that we describe Australia
as demographically and culturally 'multicultural' in which is a result of the
immigration of culturally diverse groups in Australia. However this
statement doesn’t account for the government’s views or intentions about the
ideal social composition of Australian society. Yes, Australia is known for its
acceptance and immigration programs, in which was originally to boost its
population after WWII. Migrants are free to do whatever they like in terms
of keeping their cultural background and embracing it, or perhaps adapting
to the Australian culture; although the government is unclear on their
intensions. Whether they want to respect and preserve diversity, or whether
they want to encourage assimilation.
Strengths
 The strength of multiculturalism in Australia entirely depends on the
Government and the Australian community under the meaning of
encouragement and assistance. In Australia, this encouragement and
assistance took form under the reformation of the welfare system, in which
was to provide more specific cultural services; such as the funding of cultural
schools and numerous community self-help programs. Other services include
the foundation of the Australian Institute of Multicultural Affairs, and the
television and radio services such as Special Broadcasting Service (SBS).
AUSTRALIA’S MIGRATION PROGRAM
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The Australian Migration Program does not discriminate on the
basis of race or religion. Therefore this means that anyone from any
country can apply to migrate to Australia, regardless of their
cultural background, gender or colour; unless they do not meet the
requirements under the criteria set out by the Australian law
system.
These requirements are set out in the Migration Act and
Regulations, and apply to all applicants whom wish to migrate to
Australia under any sort of visa that best applies to them. There are
different criteria’s for different visas, whether it’s a student visa, a
temporary visa, a permanent visa etc. From here the Australian
Government determines the criteria for each visa and sets the
number of people who can enter the program on an annual basis.
This program is selective, however all applicants are regarded as
equal, although the choosing of the applicants are based in the
favour of those who meet Australia’s requirements (i.e. health
requirements and character requirements etc) and have a good and
successful prediction of their settlement in Australia. All applicants
for permanent entry to Australia must be assessed against
Australia's health and character requirements, which are designed
to exclude those whose presence in Australia would not be in the
interest of the Australian community.
MULTICULTURALISM FACTS
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This country was built by people from many different
national backgrounds, and has followed an active policy of
multiculturalism since 1972. To what extent is Australia a
tolerant and inclusive society? How has cultural diversity
shaped this country’s national identity? These are some of
the questions raised about Australians multicultural
society.
Indigenous peoples have been living in Australia for some
50,000 years, scientists believe. All other Australians
(about 97 per cent) have been settlers or their descendants
for more than 200 years.
Since the end of World War II, more than 600,000 people
have arrived under humanitarian programs, as displaced
persons and refugees – about 10 per cent of our total
migrant numbers.
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During the 1990s Australia received 900,000 migrants
and in 2000-03 more than 93,900 people arrived to
settle in Australia. In addition, Australia is one of only
a few countries that operate a dedicated offshore
resettlement program, which accepts the world’s most
needy and desperate people. The program makes
available 12,000 new places for refugee and
humanitarian entrants each year.
DIFFICULTIES EXPERIENCED BY
MIGRANTS
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When migration was first introduced to Australia
the Australian population did not support the
decision of the government. Because of this
migrants coming to live in Australia experienced:
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Racism
Discrimination
Abuse
Difficulties in finding employment
Exclusion
AUSTRALIA AS A MULTICULTURAL
SOCIETY
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Australia is often perceived as a multicultural nation
and according to the definition of multiculturalism it
fulfills the requirement of having several nations
coexisting.
However it is the ratio of these nations which lends
to doubts of Australia's Multiculturalism. As evident
in the table below of Australia's population
approximately 71% are Australian born, leaving only
30% of the population to be culturally diverse.
Also the second an third highest birthplaces for
Australian citizens is the United Kingdom and New
Zealand two nations which would have seemly similar
cultures to Australia, reducing Australia's cultural
diversity.
CASE STUDY: VITTORIO’S STORY
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Vittorio De Bortoli was born in Castelcucco in 1900
Vittorio left Italy because he had very little chance making a living as a farmer so he sold all his
possessions and took a boat to Australia.
In 1924 Vittorio arrived in Melbourne after a 2 month voyage. He then caught the train to Griffith
in NSW, farm work was available in the newly irrigated Riverina district.
He was then joined by Giuseppina’s older brother and they managed to save enough money to buy
a fruit farm at Bilbul, outside Griffith. Later on he created a vineyard.
During WWll the federal government restricted the amount of wine Italian-owned wineries could
sell. The National Security Regulations made it very difficult for Vittorio to manage financially,
and he began selling wine illegally. But he was caught, fined and jailed for three months.
When he was released, he lost his licence to sell wine. Vittorio then applied for a licence in
Giuseppina’s name and the family was able to keep their winemaking business. When the war
ended the restrictions were lifted and Vittorio was able to expand the business until he died in
1979.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
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http://www.spinneypress.com.au/214%20Multicultura
lism%20in%20Australia.htmln (accessed 29/7)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Grassby (accessed
5/8)
http://www.immi.gov.au/media/factsheets/01backgd.htm
http://www.immi.gov.au/media/fact-sheets/02key.htm
http://www.immi.gov.au/
http://www.immi.gov.au/media/fact-sheets
http://www4.gu.edu.au/ext/civics/cv02/mod03/cv02m0
3t02.htm#mia
http://www.multiculturalaustralia.edu.au/