For example, even though individuals may want to be defined by their own individual actions, they tend to be defined by the actions of those who conform to group identities. Internationally, Australians tend to be defined by Boganism because Bogan’s are among the few people who want to define themselves as Australian. Just as a molehill is a king on a flat landscape, in the absence of alternative Australian identities, the Bogan’s have a monopoly on what it means to be an Australian. In short, social policy has been written on the basis that the Australian identity exists and Bogan’s simply filled the empty void. They might only comprise 10% of the population, but they perhaps comprise 90% of the imagery used to describe the Australian stereotype.
Electoral majoritarianism can sometimes be selfish and indifferent to wrongs and discrimination. Both major political parties currently actively support discrimination against asylum seekers, as well as the continuation of the Northern Territory intervention. There is simply not a feasible option for the Australian people to show their distaste for the discrimination that is occurring, even if they are both aware of and oppose it. As long as these policies benefit the major parties politically, they will continue. III.
Alternative dispute resolution mechanisms offer many advantages for Aboriginal people over traditional court proceedings. “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities should be able to implement models in their own communities, which recognise traditional cultural values and traditional structures of decision making.” (Behrendt 1995, p.6) Behrendt also argues that alternative methods of dispute resolution should be developed that embody the cultural values of Indigenous people and are perceived as acceptable by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, these would be ideally and necessarily be developed by the Aboriginal communities themselves. “In Australia, Indigenous peoples recognise that real change in our situation requires a fundamental shift in the structures of power which will allow Indigenous people to regain control over their own lives.” (Poynton 1994, p.68) Dodson who is the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner also argues “Genuine change will only occur when there is a genuine redistribution of
Australia's identity is said to piggy-back off the English and Americans, the key countries that influence Australia. In the article "Australian identity: who the bloody hell are we?" it is written that "It’s a case of stealing someone's heritage and pasting in your own; except not everyone knows the Australian version yet." The article expresses the struggle for Australia to generate its own unique identity. This problem with this is that fact that Australia does not have the Revolutions of France and America, neither the rich history of the Spanish or Chinese, Australia is too young.
Name: Mellissa Harley SPE211: Foundations in Social Policy Student Number: 11242359 Assessment item 1 Liberal Democracies take various forms. These types of political systems at the same time support collectively owned institutions and a free market economy. This essay aims to discuss the Australian liberal democratic political system and how the wellbeing of its citizens is enhanced by its operation. This paper discusses the many tensions the Australian government must manage; between negative and positive liberalism, and between liberal and democratic theory. Finally, Australia’s reliance on unwritten conventions and how this leaves our democratic institutions vulnerable and open to attack is also considered.
The two main governmental departments responsible for defence are; The Department of Defence and The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). The Department of Defence makes the majority of decisions about Australia’s security. Its primary focus is to protect and advance Australia’s strategic interests. The DFAT’s role is to advance Australia’s national interest. This involves working to reinforce Australia’s security and enhance Australia’s prosperity.
There is no such thing as a definite true Australian identity. Rather, there are multiple constructed versions, where no one version can be decisively labeled correct of wrong. Both the novel The Secret River and the poem ‘We are Going’ portray an alternative reading of national identity which is resistant to the dominant versions that are based on the twin myths of the Bush and the Anzacs. The first myth is based upon the achievements of the white settlers in an unknown and foreign land, and the second celebrates the courage of the Anzacs. However, these dominant versions work to silence or marginalize particular groups in Australian society.
Secondly, our flag still displays the Union Jack on the canton, which is the position of honour. This shows that the British Empire controls Australia, which is not true. Australia is not a colony anymore, but an independent country. Foreign citizens do not recognise our flag, but instead they question why we belong to Britain. We are part of the world’s mature nations, not an infant still needing a mother’s protection.
An independent and federal government was thought to be stronger than separate colonial governments. As Australia had just come out of an economic Depression, it was thought that a united government would be able to help with the financial state of the country. Sir Henry Parkes also appealed to the idea of Federation at his speech at Tenterfield where he questioned, ‘Is there a man living in any part of Australia who will say that it will be to the advantage of the whole of the colonies to remain separated?’ Clearly, these arguments won and Australia federated at the turn of the Century. It is evident that the arguments for Federation gained the majority vote from the citizens of Australia and helped the move towards an independent country. Those arguments that rebelled the idea of federation did slow the process down but did not influence the minds of the people enough to gain a majority
Intro : Good morning today I will be discussing the following topics; the Australian of the year award and what it celebrates, who I believe should have been given the award. The meaning of Australia day and what it means to be an Australian. If the date should be moved to avoid conflict between the Ingenious Australians and white Australians. Paragraph 1: Each year there is a Australian of the year award presented and given to an Australian who is worthy of receiving it by, being a good role model, inspiring Australians by achieving some of the greatest challenges and by helping make Australia become a better place. I believe Deborah De Williams should have received the Australian of the year award this year as she was the first woman to complete a non-continuous lap around Australia in 2009 which was 20,000km's she aslo completed the last 800km's with broken feet showing no signs of giving up to help raise money for the breast cancer foundation.