Australia is the land of the fair go for the white Australians. They had money, optimistic
We are told that Australia is the “blessed country”. A country where our most appealing asset is our multicultural community and diverse society. In our anthem, we sing: “for those who come across the seas, we’ve boundless plains to share”. Ironically, this line is in the second verse, which most people barely ever sing. Perhaps this reveals the true attitude Australia has towards asylum seekers. People who flee from countries which are oppressing them, escaping for their lives. Australia’s inhumane treatment of asylum seekers and the mandatory detention policy means that asylum seekers are locked in a detention centre until they are processed, which can take years.
In Australia, refugees and asylum seekers are treated like the enemy in a war: the target of a highly resourced, military-led “deterrence” strategy complete with arbitrary detainment, detention camps, guards to terrorise them, forced deportations and the violent suppression of those who protest. Australia is failing to meet the standards required when regarding the treatment of asylum seekers. It is fact that asylum seekers make up less than 3% of Australia’s annual immigration yet the idea is being distorted to that of which they will overpopulate a country that prides itself on being a multicultural society. I want to shed light on the misconception that asylum seekers are not ‘legal’ when in actual fact it is a human right to seek freedom.
The Aboriginal perspective on health is holistic, wherein physical, cultural, spiritual and mental health must be harmonious in order for a person to be in good health. Should these not be in balance, ill-health would persist (Social Health Reference Group, 2004). As such, it is important to talk about the history of Aboriginal people as affected by the arrival of the British in 1770 to put Indigenous health into context. Inter-generational trauma, as caused by the effects of colonisation, loss of country and the enforcement of discriminatory government policies over the history of Australia, has negatively
These lyrics from Bruce Woodley’s iconic song ‘I am Australian’ encapsulate the essence of the Australian identity: unity, equality and a fair go for all. However, underneath the surface of our seemingly egalitarian society, the statement ‘we are many’ is the only one that remains. We are a nation divided. Divided by the historic mistreatment of the first inhabitants of our land. Divided by the disadvantage, discrimination and dispossession of Indigenous Australians. Divided by the lack of true equality for all Australians. If we lack this basic equality, how can we say with good conscience that we are an egalitarian society?
Australia is known as a country of freedom and fairness, however many groups such as youth, the unemployed, aged, and ethnic groups tend to become marginalised because of their minority status. Certain groups are marginalised because they are perceived as being different or undeserving of equality in society. This is called stereotyping and it leads to prejudice and discrimination. This essay explores three marginalised groups and discusses some of the reasons why they are marginalised and the effects on those within these groups. Exclusion from areas such as employment and other services and opportunities that other Australian 's take for granted, is a result of the marginality of indigenous Australian 's, woman, and those with
Australia Day is one of the most unique national day’s in the world throughout history, celebrating the day of when our ancestors first arrived on the borders of Australia, in 1788. Rather than unite people as one whole though, the spirited outcome of this event isn’t what as anticipated by everyone and has divided the Australian society for good. And so it should be held at an alternative date, where Australian citizens feel worthy of their identity and not cheated by it. However, the celebration shouldn’t be adapted to like that of other commemorations like ANZAC day. Essentially, this day will always be a tragic memory for the indigenous and be viewed as the invasion of their homeland. Also, while it’s significant to note the ‘foundation day’ of Australia, many people say that there were many other good memories made after that that are just as or if not more important. Finally, ANZAC Day is often thought of a replacement but shouldn’t
One of the main points is that the indigenous Australians are often excluded and disregarded as non-Australians simply due to their race and skin colour. Grant pointed out the incident where AFL player Adam Goodes was publicly jeered and told that he did not belong to his country as he was not an Australian despite the fact that Australia indeed is the land of his ancestors. The constant booing and jeering of the crowds were what Stan Grant referred to as ‘’howls of humiliation’’. It was an unmistakable act of shaming and discrimination towards indigenous people; it was an implication that they are not meant to be a part of the great Australian Dream.
The Ngunnawal People have been living within the borders and surrounding mountains of the Australian Capital Territory for over 25,000 years. The way the Indigenous people used the land to live off was extremely efficient and sustainable. They had a bounty of knowledge about the land surrounding them, and over generations, devised resourced management skills to ensure maintenance of the animals and plants, and most importantly, the land in which provided these things. Aboriginal culture existed long before Captain Cook arrived in Australia in 1770. He claimed the land to be "Terra-Nullius", meaning that the land did not belong to any person. This claim obviously seemed ludicrous and crazy to the Indigenous people whom already lived on the land.
With this ignorance comes a large recall on our ‘lucky country’ label, as the description is now more likely to be used in an ironic sense. Questioning whether or not our nation is really a lucky country for the majority of Australian citizens. The recent legalization of same-sex marriage within America caused what should have been a ripple effect. However, this ripple was blown out of the water before it reached our island. The bill for equal rights, introduced by labour leader Bill Shorten, was immediately disregarded by our government. It seems as though Australians are fearful, but what of? We appear to be nervous of controversy but our evasion of important issues may be our undoing, as we become known as a nation of prejudice and ignorance. A misplaced ignorance considering Australia has an extremely well developed educational system, yet a vast majority of the population seem immensely ill informed. Our educational proficiency proves that contemporary Australia is capable of overcoming the sexism, homophobia and racism present within our society but only if we chose to pay attention. Despite being a young country we seem to be living in a political stone age. It is only when we begin to educate ourselves and accept these overarching topics that we will become a truly tolerant
The dignity of any nation rests upon the elements that it possesses, this speech entails one of those essential elements, the right to change the flag of Australia.
The indigenous people of Australia, are both heavily traditional people, who have had to face some issues regarding communication, health, stereotypes as well as human right breaches.
The European immigrants that came under the white Australia policy came from Italy, France, Ireland, Spain, Holland, Germany, Suedan, Greece, Lithuania, Estonia, and Lattua.
Keating’s universal values conveys the need to acknowledge past discriminations, encouraging hopeful beliefs of reconciliation as opposed to assigning guilt. In taking responsibility, he proposes ideas into transforming the attitudes of Australians into improving their national identity by becoming one with the Indigenous people. “If we improve the living conditions… If we raise the standards.... If we open one door others will follow.” Keating uses anaphora in emphasizing that by transforming society in bridging the gap of inequality, we will live in unity. He provides Australians the truths of their past and the sad reality of their contemporary society. Thus, the emphasis of “we” suggest that change will happen when people unit.. Keating has also effectively achieved this sense of urgency towards peace. “Imagine if non-Aboriginal Australians had served their country in peace and war… Imagine if we suffered the injustice and were blamed for it.’ The establishment of pathos and ethos creates an awareness of ethical mistreatment, instilling empathy if we position ourselves in these vulnerable situations. Its great rhetoric is credited for paving the way for 2007’s formal apology to Indigenous Australians thus contributing to recent development of Australia’s reconciliation, namely, the ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Recognition Bill 2012.’
The way that society sees you should not depend on the colour of your skin. Even today, in the 21st century, people in our society judge other human beings by their colour or race. One of the main racism issues is the discrimination towards our Indigenous people. National data from the Challenging Racism Project reveals that 27% of Aboriginal people over the age of 15 experience racism more than once in their life. Racism towards Indigenous Australians includes mostly verbal abuse such as name-calling and insulting language. Exclusion from workplaces and social events also plays a major part in the racial discrimination. Do we really want Australia to be seen as such a racist and prejudiced nation? What can we as individuals do to stop this racial hate from going on? All of this is happening because we stole the Aboriginal people’s land. If we had