The forming of the nation: Australian nationalism

The forming of the nation:
Australian nationalism
• Australia was and is a country of diversity in terms of its people
• Australia was built on processes of exclusion and inclusion
• How, who and why some were and are still excluded?
• Who is part of ‘The Team Australia’? (2015)
• What were the criteria for inclusion and exclusion?
• The criteria change over time (some remain the same while others change
according to changes in immigration policies, laws, economic needs,
social attitudes and beliefs, fears, global events, wars etc.)
•
One of the criteria for exclusion was race
• Racism was from the beginning connected to social and cultural attitudes,
beliefs and institutional practices
• Racism and power differential (asymmetrical power relations)
• Racism is integrally linked with privilege and power
• The indigenous people
• The Terra nullius doctrine (not overturned till 1992- Mabo case)
• It was not till the referendum of 1967 that indigenous people were given
citizenship rights (90 % voted yes!)