History of Australia's Multiculturalism

Name
Prof
Course Name
 DATE \@ "d MMMM yyyy" 12 December 2021
Australian Multiculturalism
Introduction
Globalization, by far, is the single-most-important force in the global interaction between cultures. Workplaces and social places are increasingly diversified with different cultures from across the globe. A better explanation of this phenomenon is captured by Amanda Wise and Selvaraj Velayutham's work, Multiculturalism and Everyday life. According to the authors, the food court of a local suburban shopping mall is deliciously rich with multicultural experiences (Wise and Velayutham 1). Here, one can find multiple languages and cuisines from different corners of the world. Immigration, through globalization, has enhanced these experiences, especially in modern developed nations like Australia. On the surface, people fancy and savor these experiences, but only to the extent that they are daily lived experiences. On a broader scale, especially when it comes to human development opportunities, the issue of multiculturalism becomes contentious both in political and public domains. The current paper explores the different key definitions of multicultural multiculturalism in Australia, the emergence of multicultural policies, and inherent criticism.
Varying Definitions of Multiculturalism
Multiculturalism is a subject of multiple geographical interpretations (Clayton). In other words, the term is defined differently depending on which side of the geographical, political, or social spectrum a person is in. The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions is a leading international body representing the interest of people who rely on information professionals and libraries. Such people include students, professors, researchers, and most importantly, scholars. Therefore, the IFLA presents an excellent place to begin understanding the varying definitions of multiculturalism. According to the IFLA, Multiculturalism is the co-existence of diverse cultures. Culture encompasses religious, cultural, and racial groups and manifests in habitual behavior, assumptions, patterns of thinking, and communication styles (Chu). This definition is consistent with what Wise and Velayutham describe as part of a critical feature of the modern food court in urban suburbs.
Multiculturalism also refers to the state of a society in which numerous distinct cultural and ethnic groups are seen to be politically relevant (Ivison). In this definition, an aspect of politics is introduced based on the fact that different cultural groupings have a say in local and national politics. Moving away from politics to policy, multiculturalism promotes a culturally diversified society (Ivison). The definition arises from the fact that globalization has enabled the increased co-existence of cultures. Therefore, policies and legislation must be shaped to accommodate these differences in an inclusive society. Politics and policy are critical determinants of how power and opportunities are distributed across a multicultural society. In this aspect, multiculturalism exists differences and uneven power relations among populations (Clayton). These differences exist along with cultural markers such as race, ethnicity, geographical distinctions, and religion.
Additionally, definitions of multiculturalism depend on who supports diversity and who does not. In appreciation of diversity and because of politics and policy, multiculturalism refers to the formal recognition and incorporation of the rights and needs of minority groups within the public domain (Arasaratnam). This definition recognizes that minority groups within a multicultural society are often sidelined or ignored regarding opportunities. To this end, geographers have also weighed in on the definition of multiculturalism. They define it as a phenomenon beyond formal efforts that define and incorporate difference, focusing on how boundaries of intersectional identities are experienced, reinforced, and renegotiated daily (Johnston, Gendall, and Train). In other words, multiculturalism is not just within a given geographical boundary. Instead, it involves the ability of people to cross these boundaries for different purposes rather than settling in a new place, city, or country.
So far, the definitions given are from the scholarly point of view. However, the definitions of social or ideological organizations have become more complex and prevalent. Wise and Velayutham (6) highlighted that multiculturalism means different things to different people based on the most dominant ideology in society. Conservatives, for instance, perceive multiculturalism as a form of cultural relativism, while progressives perceive it as a corrective mechanism to outdated views of immigrant assimilation. Indeed, the term becomes even more controversial regarding the distribution of resources, opportunities, and political power, often leading to conflicts and a divided public discourse. From a governance point of view, multiculturalism is often viewed from a top-down perspective, i.e., as a set of policies that manage and contain diversity (Wise and Velayutham). In many cases, the everyday practice, such as the experience in a food court in modern cities, is often ignored since the concern is primarily the distribution of power and opportunities. The differences in definitions and meanings among different people or spheres underpin the emergence of these conflicts. In Australia, multiculturalism is both a historical and modern issue marred by these differences in perceptions.
Multiculturalism in Australia: History and Characteristics
In 1973, in his letter dubbed A Multicultural Society for the Future, A. J Grassby, the then Minister for immigration in the Australian government, posed an important question: that what would the character of the Australian urban society look like in the new (2000) millennium? In this paper, Grassby was aware that immigration is a critical component of the 20th century and the future of Australia. On the back of increasing rates of immigration, Grassby argued that a society able to sustain growth is that which provides equal opportunities for all of its members. Such a society is capable of avoiding disintegration (Grassby). In his view, Grassby was optimistic that Australia would integrate into a multicultural society in the future. His view was based on the country's history, since the landing at Sydney Cove in 1788. The country marked the first integration of foreigners with indigenous communities albeit in peculiar circumstances. Historically, therefore, Australia has been and remains a multicultural country.
History of Australia's Multiculturalism
Post-war years marked a significant cultural shift in Australian society following the influx of migrants. Before this, Australia was essentially a mono-cultural British-oriented society with sidelined indigenous communities. Between 1945 and 1960, the country's population doubled from 7 million to 13 million, with an average annual growth of 2.7%. In the early 1960s, 8% of the country's population was not of British origin and consisted of Poles, Greeks, Germans, and Italians. Due to these developments, there was a need to review or relax the White Australia Policy. The Immigration Restriction Act of 1901, the White Australian Policy, barred all non-Europeans from migrating into Australia, leading to a racially insulated white society. As early as the 1860s, such restrictive policies or legislation were effective in all Australian colonies. In the early 1950s, the Australian government embarked on a journey to relax the policy.
One of the fundamental changes by the government was to allow non-European migrants opportunities to apply for citizenship. As part of these developments by the government, the dictation test under the Migration Act of 1958 was abolished, putting an end to the exclusion of non-European migrants. In 1966, Prime Minister Harold Holt introduced the Migration Act, which allowed any professional and academic qualifications to apply for entry. By 1973, the White Australian Policy was officially retired. Effectively, migrants were vetted based on their skills and abilities instead of ethnicity. The act's purpose was to develop tourism, trade, and relations between Australia and the rest of the world. In the 1970s, when A. J Grassby was pondering on the future of the Australian society, assimilation policies that required new arrivals to adopt Australian culture and customs were also transformed, marking the beginning of a culturally diverse country. The assimilation policies were effectively replaced by stipulations in the Universal Migration Policy introduced by Prime Minister Gough Whitlam.
The Universal Migration Policy intended to allow skilled and professional workers to apply for Australian citizenship with freedom not to conform to the Australian culture or customs. By 1998, 33% of all migrants arriving in the country had Asian roots. Most of the arrivals settled in Melbourne and Sydney, marking the beginning of cosmopolitans. At the start of the 21st century, a third of the population in the two cities consisted of people from foreign roots. This share of the influx was also experienced across all...