MULTICULTURALISM

Post WWII 'Populate or Perish' campaign to defend Australia, government-sponsored assisted passage for European migrants

Following Japanese aggression during the Second World War, the 'Populate or Perish' campaign advocated for a relaxation of restrictive immigration policies to increase the population so as to better defend Australia. The United Nations 1951 convention of the status of refugees forced several western countries to redefine their immigration legislation including that of Australia to accept and increase the amount of refugees. The IRA was replaced by the Migration Act in 1958, the new act removed the use of the Dictation Test.

Multiculturalism; defined as including many cultures, was introduced by the Whitlam government in 1972, stipulating that race would no longer be a basis for immigration control and the abolition of the WAP. Civil conflicts in central Europe and South East Asia produced displaced persons who sought refuge in Australia during the mid-1970s. After the fall of Saigon in 1975, Vietnamese refugees began arriving on northern Australian shores in fishing vessels unsuited for the journey.

The 1977 Galbally report into the post-arrival services for migrants promoted equal opportunity, the maintenance of culture without prejudice and that migrants needs be met by services designed for self-reliance. Following the recommendations of the report, governments of the 1970s and 1980s were the most generous towards migration and the provision of migrant services.

Globalization and the accessibility of air travel have transformed the cultural composition of contemporary Australia. Today, one in four Australians are born overseas, people from around the world come to work, live and settle in Australia. Currently migrants from New Zealand, China and India are the most numerous non-European migrant arrivals. Contemporary Middle Eastern conflicts continue to produce refugees who embark on dangerous journeys arriving in Australia by boat.

Events

1951: UN Convention relating to the status of

refugees, and 1967 Protocol, adhered by Australia

1958: Migration Act replaces IRA

1972: Multiculturalism becomes official public policy of

the Whitlam government

1975: Fall of Saigon after communist victory, mass

emigration from southern Vietnam

Foundation of Special Broadcasting Service (SBS),

multilingual and multicultural radio and television broadcasting

1976: Vietnamese refugees begin arriving in Australia on fishing vessels

1977: Galbally Report concentrated on the provision of migrant services

1979: Asia becomes a large regional source of immigrants contributing to 29% of total migration, compared to 19% from the UK.

1986: Creation of the first museum dedicated to migration; the Migration Museum of Adelaide, recognized the contribution of migrants to South Australia.