Australian history paints a clear picture of our views on Migration and multiculturalism over time. The White Australian Policy can be linked back to the 1850’s. The purpose of the White Australian Policy was to restrict the Chinese immigrants from locating on the gold fields. The white miners rose against the Chinese in violent and deadly riots at Buckland River in Victoria and Lambing Flat in New South Wales. Part of the reason for the riots was the white miners thought they would accept a lower wages and a lower standard of living.
In 1901 Australia became a Nation and formed the New Federal Government and enacted the First Federal Immigration Restriction Act. With this act being legislated it ended the employment of Pacific Islanders and placed a tighter control on certain immigration. Factory workers in cities like Sydney and Melbourne supported this policy on immigration, as without it they felt their jobs were a risk. In 1957 non-Europeans with 15 years residence in Australia were allowed to become citizens. In 1973 the Whitlam Labour Government implemented a series of amendments preventing the enforcement of racial aspects of the immigration law. This was the legal end of the White Australian Policy.
The current immigration policy has two components:
For skilled migrants
For family migrants
Under the White Australian Policy it ensures that Christianity remained the religion of the overwhelming majority of Australians.
This time in Australian history taught us a lot about how the society was functioning with common themes of; Fear of the unknown, a ‘protect what you own’ view e.g. jobs and wealth. It also showed how humans by nature are tribal, cultural and religious.
Where are we going
The NSW state and local government area population projections (2016, NSW Department of Planning and Environment) show Sydney’s population to rise to close to 6,500,000 people in the next 20 years. The population of Sydney metropolitan area is positioned to represent 65% of the total NSW population by 2036, an increase from 60% represented in 2016. This increased proportion of population settling in Sydney, influenced by Migration (considering net overseas migration) and Natural increase will place further pressure on social cohesion in our harbour city. As a driver for the economy this should be celebrated, with Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS, 2013) data showing a 77% labour participation rate by migrants in the Australian workforce, a clear 12% above that of the national average.
Tim Coleman of the Age sites the Australian Bureau of Statistics, indicating that 26% of the nations population growth in the last year, second only to Melbourne, which experienced a 29% increase. Between 1996-2011, the Bureau of Statistics (Australian Bureau of Statistics: Migration Australia 2014/15) data demonstrates that 45% of Chinese migration, and 31% of Indian migration was to NSW – with the highest concentration of this migration centered on metropolitan Sydney, where skilled employment and education are key drivers for this trend. The Scanlon Foundation, 2015 Mapping Social Cohesion Report outlines that 36% of Sydney’s population is overseas born.
Interestingly, it was seen in this data that proportionate migration from English speaking countries was mainly focused in Queensland and Western Australia, where migration from Asia and India focused in NSW and Victoria. We can see from these migration trends that Sydney is becoming increasingly dense and diverse, placing strain on our existing infrastructure, especially in terms of transit – which is a space in which the population interacts. It could be said that with increased migrant population in Sydney and the pressures this places on our systems, that increased social cohesion issues are surfacing.
The Scanlon Foundation Survey, 2015 Mapping Social Cohesion showed that overwhelmingly, Australian’s surveyed retain a “sense of belonging” in Australia. Global issues such as terrorism have polarized cultural and ethnic groups in Sydney, where events such as the recent Martin Place siege have further surfaced underlying discomfort towards the Islamic community. The re-election of One Nation leader Pauline Hanson to the senate in the most recent election, shows that there is support for the party’s negative views on ethnic minorities in Australia. Other Events in our local history paint a similar picture of the pressures around social cohesion in greater Sydney. Low Social Cohesion leads to social unrest (Resilient City 2016, p. 39)
Firstly, we look at the Cronulla riots and according to the SMH (2005) there have been racial and ethnic tensions in and around Cronulla in October 2005 prior to the outbreak in December that same year. There was a series of mob violence in Cronulla and it began on 11th December 2005 and ran over the next few nights. Small riots occurred in the suburbs of Maroubra and Brighton-Le-Sands.
According to NSW Police (2005) the riot was a result of the tensions between Sydney Lebanese and the white population. 800 NSW police force officers formed operation Seta and were on constant patrol.450 police blockade Cronulla resulting in another 11 arrests. By 2006 NSW police (2005) reported 285 charges against 104 people. 51 arrests from the original Cronulla riots in December 11 2005 and 53 arrests from retaliation riots.
Hsue-Ming Teo (2005) felt Australia’s multiculturalism was being eroded.
Samantha Baden (2005) explained the government met to pass new laws giving police new powers and example she gave was, the ability to close down licensed premises and prohibit bringing alcohol in to lock down zones.
McCarthy (2005) explained even as far Terrigal (2 hours north of Cronulla) many small businesses suffered due to a police lockdown of the beach and there were reports of 10% drop in normal levels on a Saturday and only 25% of Christmas shopping crowds turning up on a Sunday.
Secondly, we look at the Redfern riots which took place on 14th February 2004.According to Rebecca Barrett (2005) the death of Indigenous ‘TJ’ Hickey sparked the riot. There was an outstanding arrest and warrant on his name. On the 14th February “TJ’ was riding his bike downhill with no brakes and the police were patrolling the nearby area. ’TJ’ collided and was flung into the air. He had injuries to his chest and neck and died. The police arrived at the scene quickly claiming they were patrolling the area for a theft incident.
According to Wikipedia (2016) On the evening of the 15th February, Aboriginals gathered from across Sydney to the Redfern area. Police closed the entrance to the station. The crowd became violent and it continued to the early hours of the morning. The damage resulted in a stolen car being torched and 40 police officers injured.
Lastly, let’s look at the Macquarie fields riots and according to Norrie, Brown and Mc Mahon (2005) the riot was spiked by a car crash from a police car chase were 2 teenage boys died. According to Claire Mathie (2005) The riot lasted 4 days with 300 residents clashing with Police.
Information from the Australian bureau of Statistics (2005) shows that as a result of the riots in Macquarie fields there was high unemployment at 11.3% almost twice the national average in 2005. Also important to note that there are over 25% of homes are housing commission homes for low-income earners and disadvantaged families.
How do we get there
These events indicate an undertone of social disconnection in different areas of Sydney, formed in part by discomfort to cultures less understood. The common themes of Identity, Nationalism and appreciating cultural diversity and harmony can be seen as important for creating real social cohesion. Creating a cohesive society will only become more important as the population and density of Sydney Metropolitan area increases over the next 20+ years. We can learn from cities around the world who have tackled these issues of Social Cohesion for the betterment of their society and the creation of resilient cities. A truly resilient Sydney will need to tackle the issues of acceptance of cultural diversity, harness the ingrained fear established by our fore-generations and embrace the change and high cultural diversity in population now if we are to avoid the social unrest of recent times and position ourselves as a resilient global city for the future.