Australia Today: History, Economy, and Social Divisions

This document is a Q&A format that covers various aspects of Australia, including its economy, history, social divisions, and government. It discusses the competing interpretations of domestic violence crisis, the significance of the Whitlam government, and the aspects of Australian history that reveal the country's white man's country policy. The document also explores the differences between the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, and how Jennifer Robson regards the American Bill of Rights as a model for Australia.

Running Head: Q&A 1
Introduction to Australia today
Student’s Name
Course
University
Date

2
Question one
How do Kelly and Mac lean disagree in their analysis of the experience of the twentieth
century Australian economy?
During the 20th century, Australian economy was down since there were less technological
innovations which contribute much towards production hence the economic development of a
given nation. Kelly believes that Australia was doing well because of the enough resources to
cater for the small amount of population resulting to a stable Australian economy but in the 21st
century, high population has resulted to limited resources hence slow economic development.
Maclean has his main focus on the innovation aspect to have slowed the economic growth of
Australia in the 20th century while Kelly focus on small population utilizing the available
resources to enhance economic development.

3
Question two
What are some of the aspects of Australian history from 1788 to 1901 which revealed that those
in power were to make it a white man’s country?
There are many factors that suggest those in power were making Australia a white man country
There were restrictions during immigrations where only the whites especially from the UK and
other European countries were allowed in Australia, other races had no opportunity to enter
Australia. The whites in the nation were excluded from cheap labor which was a clear indication
of race discrimination. There were tariffs who provided jobs for the people which was a
character of the colonialists. The social policy for the country was mainly based on the ideal
known as white bread winner.

4
Question three
What was the significance of the Whitlam government for Australian history?
The Whitlam government played a very crucial role in major reforms in Australia in 1970s.
These reforms brought a positive impact on the economic, legal and cultural sector of Australian
government. Some of the reforms are as outlined below
Establishment of health care facilities
Gough Whitlam promoted the health insurance Bill of 1973 with an aim of introducing a
universal health insurance scheme known as Medibank which ensured easy accessibility of
medical care by all the Australians at convenient prices.
Free access to higher education
This was the best reform ever for the Whitlam government. The prime minister abolished the
University fees and enhanced equity between the private and state schools where a schools
commission was created which facilitated the funding of private schools. This really saw many
children in the country having an access to education which has really transformed the Australian
society.

5
Positive treatment for indigenous Australians
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders were given equal treat as the rest of the group in
Australia which was a very wonderful reformation under Whitlam’s government. They were
really despised by the rest of the society but currently they are perceived as an equal race hence
equal rights. There were some reformation by the government where it stopped to have the total
control over the indigenous group and allowing them to make their own decisions.
The land reformation enabled the indigenous Australians to acquire land rights and furthermore,
the government introduced the Aboriginal Land fund which enabled the organizations own by
the indigenous redeem the land that was owned illegally by the private investors.
Creation of multiculturalism
Whitlam government ended the White Australia policy that favored immigrant from European
nations especially from the UK in the year 1973. Merit system was adopted in the choice of the
immigrants rather than the race, color or region that was initially used. This has made Australia a
home of very many cultures due to habitation by people from various parts of the world.
Embraced art and culture
The Whitlam government gave art a meaning in the Australian culture. The funds that were
usually meant for art by the government were doubled. New radio stations were introduced, that
is FM radio and Radio station 2jj to create more employment opportunities for the youths.

6
Question four
What are some of the social divisions between different groups of indigenous people in
Australia?
There are two main indigenous groups in Australia. These groups are the aboriginal and the
Torres Strait islanders. They vary in social aspects which outlines their main social division as
outlined below
The dream time stories for the aboriginal focuses their creator and protector the rainbow serpent
while most of the stories for the Torres Strait islanders focus on tagai or their warrior.
Most of the aborigines speak Pama-Nyungan languages while the Torres Strait islanders speak
Kala Lagaw Ya and Meriam Mir.
The aboriginal are main nomads hence indigenous to Tasmania while Torres Strait Islanders are
mainly traders and farmers.

7
Question five
Reason Jennifer Robson regard the American Bill of rights as a model for Australia
The Bill of rights for America is very precise on the rights of its citizens an aspect that has
reduced the rate at which individuals are discriminated against in the country because they
understand their own rights. The main reason why Jennifer Robson regard American bill of
rights as a model for Australia is because they are very precise to the point. The Australian bill of
rights is wordy and it takes time for an individual to comprehend a given aspect as compared to
the American bill of rights. From that we see that Jennifer Robson is realistic in her perception
because the bill of rights for Australia needs to be revised to focus on some key aspects like the
one for America.

8
Question six
Competing interpretations of domestic violence crisis in Australia
A lot of debates exist in Australia in relation to the effective definition of domestic violence.
Domestic violence has been defined as the acts of violence between two individuals who have an
intimate relationship in a domestic setting. This acts can be physical assault, sexual harassment
etc. Domestic violence can also be misusing the family funds making the family to suffer.
Domestic violence is perceived by other people as misuse of religious beliefs in the justification
of violence or other forms of abuse. Domestic violence is also verbal abuse to another person.
Domestic violence is a violation of human rights hence it usually results to legal action against
the culprit.