Cultural and linguistic diversity in Australia

What is it about?

The article covers the way Australia has approached cultural and linguistic diversity since federation in 1901. In particular, it maps the changes in multicultural and language policy against the concomitant rise of Anglo-Australian nationalist sentiment and the pervasive spread of economic and political globalisation.

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Why is it important?

The issues addressed by the article continue to play a significant role in Australian politics and society. Successive governments of both major parties in Australia have been locked in a race to appear most in tune with the nationalist sentiment "from below". This issue has a strong resonance for many other countries that seek to address the increasing levels of cultural and linguistic diversity in a time of increasing population mobility and escalating refugee numbers.