POLITY - reconciliation.org.au

POLITYresearch & CONSULTING

________________________________________________________________________

Australian Reconciliation Barometer 2014

Darryl NelsonManaging DirectorPolity Pty. [email protected]

May 2015

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.reconciliation.org.au/

POLITYRESEARCH & Consulting

_______________________________

Contents

1. Introduction & background

2. Methodology

► ARB approach 2008-2012

► ARB approach 2014

► Online survey details

3. Australian Reconciliation Barometer 2014

► Key findings and trends analysis

► Full results:

Race Relations

Unity

Material Equality and Cultural Security

Historical Acceptance

4. Appendix

► Online survey sample profiles

2


_______________________________

Introduction & background

Reconciliation Australia (RA) first launched the Reconciliation Barometer

research project in February 2007. The objective of the research was to

develop a tool to measure the progress of reconciliation between Aboriginal

and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous Australians. The first

study was completed in 2008, with subsequent biennial tracking waves in

2010 and 2012.

While improvements in Indigenous health, employment, housing and

education are essential for the reconciliation process, equally important, and

at the core of reconciliation, is the relationship between the first Australians

and those who have come since.

If we are to improve the relationship and create an environment which

provides equal life chances for all Australians we must also measure, track

and understand the underlying values and perceptions that shape this

relationship and influence our social interactions and structures.

This is the only study of this nature undertaken in Australia. The inspiration

for the Barometer came from South Africa, where the Institute of Justice and

Reconciliation developed the „South African Reconciliation Barometer‟.

Initially it was conducted bi-annually in 2003 and 2004 and since then

annually.

The Australian Reconciliation Barometer delves into the heart of our nation to

identify the attitudes Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians hold about

each other, and about reconciliation in this country. It also attempts to shed

some light on opportunities for moving the relationship forward towards a

greater reconciled, shared unity.

For this latest 2014 Barometer, RA has aligned the survey more closely with

its Reconciliation Outcomes Framework, to focus on 4 of the 5 key

dimensions:

Race Relations, Unity, Material Equality and Historical Acceptance

3


_______________________________

Methodology 2008-12 Barometers

Original ARB development

To create the first Australian Reconciliation Barometer, the first part of the research task was to identify different factors that contributed to advancing

reconciliation. Several phases of both quantitative and qualitative research were used in the process of identifying and defining these factors. In May

2007 RA commissioned a quantitative survey among 1,024 people to determine the underlying values of Australians towards Indigenous issues and

reconciliation. This survey was further enhanced by a series of in-depth interviews with 14 key Indigenous and non-Indigenous stakeholders. From

this, 29 hypotheses of reconciliation were identified, forming the basis of a discussion guide for further study.

In November-December 2007, a series of 12 forums were conducted with Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in Shepparton, Rockhampton

and Sydney. The forums explored the 29 hypotheses of reconciliation and this resulted in the development of 31 “outcomes” for reconciliation, that is

actions or conditions that will advance reconciliation.

These outcomes were used to inform the development of the original Barometer questionnaire. The same questionnaire was used in surveys of

Indigenous Australians as well as the general community, to allow a direct comparison between the attitudes of the two groups. This first Barometer

survey was conducted in May 2008, May 2010 and July 2012.

General Community Sample

For the 2008-2012 studies, the general community sample of Australians was selected and weighted to be representative in terms of age, gender

and location (state and urban/regional splits), as per Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006 Census data. Participants were recruited from a

professional market and social research panel and they received a small incentive for their participation.

1007 Australian residents aged 18+ completed the survey in May 2008, 1220 completed the survey in April 2010, and 1012 completed the survey in

July 2012. These sample sizes are associated with margins of error of +/- 3.1%, +/- 2.8% and +/-3.1% at the 95% confidence interval respectively.

Indigenous Sample

The 2008-2012 surveys among Indigenous respondents involved recruitment through Indigenous networks across Australia, with an open invitation

distributed by email and hosted on the RA website. This targeted approach was taken due to the relatively small proportion of Indigenous Australians

within established research panels, and the Australian population overall. A sample of 617 Indigenous Australians completed the survey between

25th-30th June 2008, while 704 Indigenous Australians completed it in 12th-29th April, 2010, and 516 completed it in July 2012. These sample sizes

are associated with margins of error of +/- 4%, +/- 3.7% and +/- 4.3% respectively.

Gaining a truly representative sample of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians is difficult because of a number of geographical and

socioeconomic factors. Accounting for these factors was beyond the scope of the research, and it was acknowledged that the sample of Indigenous

people (recruited via Indigenous networks) may not have been truly representative of the overall Indigenous population. The data was weighted

according to Indigenous demographic data (age/gender and location) from the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006 Census, to try and ensure it was

as representative as possible.

4


_______________________________

Methodology 2014 Barometer

ARB reviewed and refined

In early 2014, following a tender process, Polity Research & Consulting was selected to conduct the ARB survey, and to assist RA and its

stakeholders with a comprehensive review of the Barometer survey. In May 2014, RA convened a Roundtable workshop at the National Centre for

Indigenous Excellence in Redfern. Participants were invited based on their knowledge and experience in Indigenous affairs, reconciliation and social

research, and to achieve an appropriate mix of not-for-profit, academic and commercial sectors and gender.

The Roundtable identified 4 key areas for improvement of the ARB:

i. To better inform a broader narrative on reconciliation, by more closely aligning with RA‟s Reconciliation Outcomes Framework

ii. To remove questionnaire asymmetry, with too many existing questions „speaking‟ to non-Indigenous respondents rather than both groups

iii. To address Indigenous sample bias, as much as logistically possible, with respondents drawn from a narrow group of Indigenous networks

iv. To measure the „lived experience‟ of respondents more, rather than their perceptions of the broader social reality

Accordingly, this latest Barometer has been revised extensively and contains many new measures, as well as some revisions to past questions. For

this reason and also due to the improved „random‟ sampling approach for the Indigenous community (see below), the 2014 ARB represents

something of a resetting of the reconciliation baseline in Australia, and makes direct tracking comparisons with 2008-2012 results difficult.

Nevertheless, the results of these past surveys have, where applicable, been included in the Barometer reported in full in this report. This allows for

possible trend analysis by readers of this report, however Polity advises caution regarding any dramatic changes in results from 2012.

General Community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Samples

The general community sample of Australian residents continues to be selected and weighted to be representative in terms of age, gender and

location (state and urban/regional splits), as per Australian Bureau of Statistics 2011 Census data. Participants were recruited from a professional

market and social research panel and they received a small incentive for their participation. The sample of 1100 completed the survey in Sept-Oct

2014, and is associated with a margin of error of +/-3.1% at the 95% confidence interval.

For the first time, the Indigenous sample was also drawn from a professional market and social research panel. Participants were „self-identified‟ as

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. The sample of 502 completed the survey in Sept-Oct 2014 (simultaneously with the general community

sample), and is associated with a margin of error of +/-4.4% at the 95% confidence interval.

Further details of the composition of both samples are provided in the Appendix.

5


_______________________________

Methodology 2014 Barometer

Acknowledged limitations

Gaining a truly representative sample of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians remains difficult because of a number of geographical and

socioeconomic factors. Accounting for these factors comprehensively is beyond the current budget scope of the research, and as such the sample of

Indigenous people may not be truly representative of the overall Indigenous population (particularly encompassing remote community views).

For demographic profiling, the survey asked questions regarding cultural backgrounds, including personal cultural background for non-Indigenous

participants. It is acknowledged that in the course of survey objectives and brevity, this covered only macro-level major cultural groups (i.e. European

or Asian), but did not cover „National‟ identities (e.g. Australian, Indonesian, etc).

It is further acknowledged that, in the interests of graphical and reporting brevity, the abbreviation Indigenous has been used in this report, to refer to

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Similarly, the term “Australians” has been used in both the survey questions and report, to refer to all

people who are resident in Australia, including both citizens and non-citizens.

Online approach

Participants from both groups completed the survey online. Previous studies have shown that online research produces research which is at least as

accurate (and sometimes more accurate) than telephone research. Another benefit of this approach is the removal of any interviewer bias that may

come into play when discussing sensitive issues. Online surveys also have the advantage of allowing people to respond at their own pace, giving

them enough time to properly consider important and complex issues.

However, it is possible that this methodology over-samples the computer literate population which on average may be more highly educated than the

general population.

6

Australian Reconciliation Barometer 2014 Insights

7

Key findings and trends analysis


_______________________________

The social context of changing attitudes

8

Before interpreting any changes in the survey results between

2008 and 2014, it is worthwhile examining how the broader

social, political, and economic environment has changed in

Australia during this period. There have been some important

changes in the last 6 years and these may have influenced our

attitudes to reconciliation and other Indigenous issues.

The Apology to the Stolen Generation

There were two “Indigenous events”, which were prominent at the

time of the first Barometer, but have since become less visible as

major issues in the media and the political debate. The first of

these was the Federal Government‟s Apology to the Stolen

Generation in February 2008. This event acknowledged and

brought attention to the impact of past government policies on

Indigenous Australians. It was generally well received by the

broader community, as well as Indigenous people, with the latter

typically seeing it as a crucial step towards building better

relations between the groups. As such, the apology brought

attention to the issue of reconciliation in a positive way that set an

optimistic tone for the future.

The Northern Territory Intervention

The other major event occurring around the time of the first

Barometer was the Northern Territory Intervention which began in

late 2007. As with the Apology it generated significant media

attention, but this time it was mostly focussed around negative

portrayals of Indigenous people associated with themes of

abuse, disadvantage and neglect. Although supported by both

sides of politics, the intervention was controversial, with

Indigenous people and other Australians divided on its merits.

In the time since these two events, there has generally been less

attention given to Indigenous issues in the media, and there has

also been a drop in the political salience of Indigenous issues

compared to other concerns.

The Global Financial Crisis

On a broader level there has also been a major change in the

global financial environment and this has affected the importance

that Australians ascribe to various issues. Concern over the

Global Financial Crisis peaked around 2009 and continues to

affect sentiment today. At a broad level the GFC has been

associated with a general shift in the public mood, from one of

prosperity to one of uncertainty and guarded optimism. Other

public indicators have shown that over this period Australians

have become relatively more concerned about job security and

their financial stability and relatively less concerned with “non-

financial issues” such as the environment or Indigenous

reconciliation.

Campaign for Constitutional Recognition

Since 2010 there has been considerable progress towards an

agreement to hold a referendum that would recognise Indigenous

people in the constitution. The expert panel for constitutional

change released their initial report in January 2012 with

recommendations for specific constitutional amendments. The

movement for constitutional change had a relatively low profile at

the time of the 2012 Barometer but has steadily gained attention

during 2013 and 2014.

The Federal Election 2013

The election saw a change of Commonwealth Government and

the ushering in of a national focus on austerity and a more

conservative agenda, particularly towards immigration and

welfare. However, conversely, the Abbott Government has also

been more visible in its support for constitutional recognition for

Indigenous Australians. These „mixed messages‟ are arguably

both helping and hindering the reconciliation cause.

POLITYRESEARCH & consulting

_____________________________

We continue to view the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians as important

9

The vast majority of both the general community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities continue to feel that

the relationship between them is an important one. However, Indigenous people remain more likely than the general

community to feel this way.

10099

98

96

91

87 87 86

50

60

70

80

90

100

Late '07 Early '08 Late '08 Early '09 Late '09 Early '10 Late '10 Early '11 Late '11 Early '12 Late '12 Early '13 Late '13 Early '14 Late '14

Indigenous respondents who feel the relationship is fairly/very important

General community respondents who feel the relationship is fairly/very important

2nd Barometer

May 20103rd Barometer

July 2012

NT

intervention

Stolen

generation

apology

GFC peak/

Decline in community

confidence

Constitutional change

panel reports/ Aus day

incident

1st Barometer

May 2008

4th Barometer

Sept 2014

Constitutional

Recognition still not

certain


_____________________________

General community trust towards Indigenous Australians has increased

10

There has been a considerable increase in the level of trust perceived to be held by other Australians for Indigenous

Australians. This shift is evident in both communities, though it is particularly dramatic among Indigenous respondents. This

may reflect the positive environment being created by the campaign for constitutional recognition over the past 2 years.

4

65

34

1213 13

26

0

10

20

30

40


Indigenous respondents who feel other Australians have fairly/very high trust for them

General community respondents who feel they have fairly/very high trust for Indigenous Australians

2nd Barometer

May 2010

3rd Barometer

July 2012

NT

intervention

Stolen

generation

apology

GFC peak/


confidence



incident

1st Barometer

May 2008

4th Barometer

Sept 2014

Constitutional Recognition

gathers pace but still not

certain


_____________________________

Indigenous trust towards other Australians has increased

11

There has been a considerable increase in the level of trust perceived to be held by other Indigenous Australians for other

Australians. This shift is evident in both communities, though it is particularly dramatic among Indigenous respondents.

Again, this may reflect the positive environment being created by the campaign for constitutional recognition.

12 12

15

39

12

9

11

20

0

10

20

30

40


Indigenous respondents who feel they have fairly/very high trust for other Australians

General community respondents who feel Indigenous Australians have fairly/very high trust for them

2nd Barometer

May 2010

3rd Barometer

July 2012

NT

intervention

Stolen

generation

apology

GFC peak/


confidence



incident

1st Barometer

May 2008

4th Barometer

Sept 2014



certain


_____________________________

Both groups believe they trust more than the other group

12

Throughout the 6 years since the first Barometer, both non-Indigenous Australians and Indigenous Australians have more

widely felt that they trust the other group, than the other group trusts them. These „gaps‟ in the perceptions of trust may

highlight a key ongoing misunderstanding between the communities.

34

39

20

26

0

10

20

30

40


Indigenous respondents who feel other Australians have fairly/very high trust for them

Indigenous respondents who feel they have fairly/very high trust for other Australians

General community respondents who feel Indigenous Australians have fairly/very high trust for them

General community respondents who feel they have fairly/very high trust for Indigenous Australians

2nd Barometer

May 2010

3rd Barometer

July 2012

NT

intervention

Stolen

generation

apology

GFC peak/


confidence



incident

1st Barometer

May 2008

4th Barometer

Sept 2014



certain


_____________________________

Education and personal experience help drive views that the relationship is very important

13

People among the general community who cite personal experience or education sources (such as school or other research)

as their main source of information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are most likely to view the relationship

as very important.

By contrast, people in the general community who mostly „know‟ Indigenous people and cultures through the filtered lenses

of the media or other people around them are more likely to view the relationship as fairly important.

3

5

6

7

12

9

10

9

4

55

50

47

36

41

33

38

38

48

48

0 25 50 75 100

The relationship is not important at all Fairly unimportant Fairly important Very important

3

1

7

1

8

6

3

4

28

15

33

18

19

70

74

61

78

69

0 25 50 75 100

My parents and family

Other people around me

The media

My own personal experiences with

Indigenous people

My main source is School education or other

research

Comparisons of main source of information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on views of the

importance of the relationship:

General community Indigenous respondents


_____________________________

Most Australians hardly ever socialise with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Australians

14

Misunderstandings of trust levels and reliance on the media or other people to know about Indigenous people are

unsurprising given the general community typically has little „socialising‟ contact with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Australians. While undoubtedly the relatively small Indigenous population in Australia doesn‟t make regular contact easy, this

again highlights a key „gap‟ in the reconciliation story.

31

70

59

31

13

69

30

41

69

87

0 25 50 75 100

Socialise with never/rarely Socialise with occassionally/frequently

General community

32

18

54

37

26

68

82

46

63

74

0 25 50 75 100

Another cultural background

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background

Middle Eastern background

Asian background

British or European background

Indigenous respondents


_____________________________

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Australians are more likely to experience racial prejudice

15

More Indigenous people have experienced racial prejudice in the last 6 months, than the general community, with 4 out of 10

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander respondents having suffered at least one form of such prejudice. The most common forms

of this have been verbal abuse or physical violence. This significant „gap‟ in daily realities underlines a key stumbling block in

the relationship and impediment to reconciliation.

4

13

16

96

87

84

0 25 50 75 100Yes No

14 86

31

39

69

61

0 25 50 75 100

Physical violence

Verbal abuse

Experienced at least 1 form of racial prejudice

in past 6 months



_____________________________

18-29 year olds

70+ yrs

40-49 yrs

50-59 yrs

60-69 yrs

30-39 yrs

All ages

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Fa

irly

/ve

ry h

igh

tru

st

Ind

ige

no

us

pe

op

le h

old

Importance of relationship

High importance

Believe Indigenous trust

for non-Indigenous

people is low

Low importance

Believe Indigenous trust for

non-Indigenous people is high

Low importance

Believe Indigenous trust

for non-Indigenous

people is low

The attitude among younger non-Indigenous Australians bodes well for the future

16

While the majority of Australians view the relationship as important, 18-29 year olds in the general community are most likely

also to believe that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians trust non-Indigenous Australians.

High importance

Believe Indigenous trust for

non-Indigenous people is high


_____________________________

18-29 year olds

70+ yrs

40-49 yrs

50-59 yrs

60-69 yrs 30-39 yrs

All ages

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Fair

ly/v

ery

hig

h t

rust

no

n-I

nd

igen

ou

s p

eo

ple

ho

ld

Importance of relationship

High importance

Believe non-Indigenous

trust for Indigenous

people is low

Low importance

Believe non-Indigenous trust

for Indigenous people is high

Low importance

Believe non-Indigenous

trust for Indigenous

people is low

The attitude among younger Indigenous Australians bodes well for the future

17

While the majority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians view the relationship as important, 18-29 year olds in

the Indigenous community are most likely also to believe that other Australians trust non-Indigenous Australians.

High importance

Believe non-Indigenous trust

for Indigenous people is high

Australian Reconciliation Barometer 2014

18

Full results comparing Indigenous-only perspectives with the

general public

Race Relations

19

How do we see cultural diversity and how well do we treat

each other?


_____________________________

Most Australians socialise with Indigenous people less than with any other major cultural group

20

Australians are most likely to socialise with people of British or European cultural backgrounds on a frequent basis. When it

comes to socialising with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the general public are least likely to do so frequently

(7%) than with any other major cultural group. Conversely, Indigenous people are just as likely to socialise frequently with

people of British/European backgrounds as with their own people (44%).

7

25

19

8

3

24

45

40

23

10

46

23

29

39

32

23

7

12

30

55

0 25 50 75 100

Never Rarely Occasionally Frequently

Q. In a typical week, at work or otherwise, how often do you socialise with people from the following different cultural groups (including your own)?

General community

7

4

18

11

6

25

14

36

25

20

41

38

33

36

30

26

44

13

27

44

0 25 50 75 100

Another cultural background

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background

Middle Eastern background

Asian background

British or European background



_____________________________

We mostly have a good relationship with medical staff, employers and school staff

21

The general community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people largely feel they have good relationships with

medical staff, employers, teachers and principals.

However, Indigenous respondents are much more likely to have a poor relationship with education staff (11%) than the

general community (3%).

Q. Overall, do you find you have a good relationship or a poor relationship with the following groups?

1

1

1

2

3

1

34

26

10

37

41

48

25

29

40

0 25 50 75 100

Very poor relationship Fairly poor relationship Dont know Fairly good relationship Very good relationship


2

2

1

9

6

7

22

26

9

42

35

47

25

31

37

0 25 50 75 100

School teachers and principals

Employers

Doctors, nurses, medical staff etc

Perceptions of the overall quality of the relationship with the following groups of people:


_____________________________

Indigenous Australians are more likely to have poor relationships with local shops and police

22

The general community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people largely feel they have good relationships with shop

owners and staff and police. However, both groups are less certain about their overall relationship with real estate agents.

Indigenous respondents are more likely to have a poor relationship with staff at their local shops (7%) and police (16%) than

the general community (2% and 4% respectively).

Q. Overall, do you find you have a good relationship or a poor relationship with the following groups?

2

1

8

3

2

41

25

10

36

41

54

13

30

34

0 25 50 75 100

Very poor relationship Fairly poor relationship Dont know Fairly good relationship Very good relationship

General community

4

4

1

14

12

6

42

20

15

30

38

45

11

25

33

0 25 50 75 100

Real estate agents

Police

Local shop owners and

staff

Perceptions of the overall quality of the relationship with the following groups of people:



_____________________________

We mostly feel there is mutual trust with medical staff, employers and school staff

23

The general community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people largely feel there is a shared trust with medical

staff, employers, teachers and principals.

However, 10% of Indigenous respondents feel there is low trust with education staff, compared with 5% of the general

community.

Q. Overall, how much trust do you feel there is between you and the following groups?

3

1

1

9

4

3

31

26

7

44

49

51

14

20

38

0 25 50 75 100

Very low trust Fairly low trust Dont know Fairly high trust Very high trust

General community

2

2

1

5

8

3

29

22

8

46

48

47

18

21

40

0 25 50 75 100

Employers

School teachers and principals

Doctors, nurses, medical staff etc

Perceptions of the overall level of trust between the following groups of people:



_____________________________

Indigenous Australians are more likely to feel there is a low level of trust with police

24

The general community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people largely feel there is a shared trust with shop owners

and staff and police. However, both groups are divided about the overall level of trust shared with real estate agents.

Indigenous respondents are more likely to feel there is a low level of trust with police (15%) than the general public (9%).

Q. Overall, how much trust do you feel there is between you and the following groups?

10

1

3

28

4

6

35

19

15

22

62

46

5

16

30

0 25 50 75 100

Very low trust Fairly low trust Dont know Fairly high trust Very high trust

General community

7

1

8

22

3

7

38

20

15

24

53

42

9

23

28

0 25 50 75 100

Real estate agents

Local shop owners and staff

Police

Perceptions of the overall level of trust between the following groups of people:



_____________________________

Indigenous Australians remain more likely to view the relationship as very important

25

Most people among the general community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community continue to feel the

relationship is important to Australia as a nation. However, Indigenous respondents (73%) remain much more likely than the

general community (43%) to view the relationship as very important.

While the general community sentiment has remained fairly constant since 2008, the percentage of Indigenous people who

consider the relationship “very important” has steadily declined since 2008.

1

5

4

5

8

9

10

9

40

44

41

43

51

43

46

43

0 25 50 75 100

Not important at all Fairly unimportant Fairly important Very important

0

0

0

1

1

2

3

6

9

11

22

94

90

87

73

0 25 50 75 100

2008

2010

2012

2014

Q. How important is the relationship between Indigenous people and other Australians for Australia as a nation?

Indigenous respondentsGeneral community

Perceptions of the importance of the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians:


_____________________________

Trust among Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians has increased since 2012

26

The general community are more likely to think that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians have very low trust for

them (20%), while Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are more likely to feel other Australians have very low trust for

them (23%).

However, there has been a marked rise in both groups in the last 2 years, in terms of higher levels of trust. This is particularly

notable among Indigenous respondents, with 39% feeling they have trust for other Australians (up from 15% in 2012), and

34% feeling other Australians have trust in them (up from 5% in 2012).

28

29

25

15

33

31

25

20

54

52

53

48

48

50

53

46

6

6

8

12

8

10

11

13

11

11

11

21

10

7

9

16

1

2

2

5

2

2

2

4

0 25 50 75 100

Very low Fairly low Don't know Fairly high Very high

41

45

38

23

28

31

29

14

50

46

55

36

58

54

55

41

5

3

3

7

2

2

1

5

4

6

5

21

11

11

13

27

13

1

1

2

12

0 25 50 75 100

2008

2010

2012

2014

2008

2010

2012

2014

Q. How would you describe the level of trust between the following groups of people?


Trust that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have for other Australians:

Trust that other Australians have for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people:


_____________________________

Perceptions of prejudice 2008-12

27

Between 2008-2012, both groups felt there were relatively high levels of prejudice between Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander people and other Australians.

While the general community saw roughly equal levels of prejudice between the two groups, Indigenous respondents

believed that prejudice towards Indigenous people from other Australians was more widespread than the prejudice they held

for other Australians.

16

20

21

26

26

25

55

51

49

45

46

44

8

6

8

12

9

12

19

20

19

15

17

16

2

2

2

2

1

3

0 25 50 75 100

Very high Fairly high Don't know Fairly low Very low

50

53

59

18

19

18

43

40

36

55

55

54

1

1

2

2

4

5

5

24

21

26

2

2

3

2

0 25 50 75 100

2008

2010

2012

2008

2010

2012

Q. How would you describe the level of prejudice between the following groups of people?


Prejudice that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have for other Australians:

Prejudice that other Australians have for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people:


_____________________________

We continue to be more likely to see low trust and high prejudice between ourselves

28

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to be more likely to feel there is high prejudice between themselves

and non-Indigenous Australians (62%), than the general community (45%). Both groups see similar levels of prejudice

between non-Indigenous Australians and new immigrants, as they do between themselves.

Conversely, the general community is more likely to see low levels of trust between Indigenous and non-Indigenous

Australians, than Indigenous respondents. However, both groups perceive their own trust more highly than the other group‟s.

Q. How would you describe the level of prejudice between the following groups of people in Australia?

10

10

36

35

20

19

30

30

5

6

0 25 50 75 100

Very high prejudice Fairly high prejudice Dont know Fairly low prejudice Very low prejudice


15

20

48

46

12

13

21

16

5

4

0 25 50 75 100

Very low Fairly low Dont know Fairly high Very high

24

22

34

40

13

11

22

23

7

4

0 25 50 75 100

Prejudice between non-Indigenous Australians and

new immigrants from overseas

Prejudice between non-Indigenous Australians and

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians

23

14

36

41

7

5

21

27

13

12

0 25 50 75 100

Trust that other Australians have for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

people

Trust Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have

for other Australians


_____________________________

Few people believe non-Indigenous Australians are superior

29

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to be more likely to disagree strongly (50%) that non-Indigenous

Australians are superior, than the general community (35%). However, while the general community sentiment has remained

fairly constant since 2008, there has been a notable increase in the number of Indigenous respondents who agree with this

sentiment (19%), up from 9% in 2012.

It is notable that 19% of Indigenous respondents agree with this sentiment. This may reflect issues of low self esteem among

Indigenous people.

2

3

2

2

9

10

8

6

26

27

27

24

33

30

29

32

30

30

34

35

0 25 50 75 100

Strongly agree Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Strongly disagree

7

7

4

5

7

5

5

14

6

10

9

20

12

14

11

14

68

64

70

47

0 25 50 75 100

2008

2010

2012

2014

Q. Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statement


Non-Indigenous Australians are superior to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians?


_____________________________

Indigenous Australians are more likely to worry about other cultures

30

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are more likely to worry about causing offence to people from another culture

(40%), or to worry that other cultures are harmful to their own (33%), or find other cultures difficult to understand (33%), than

the general community.

Q. Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements

3

3

3

18

12

25

29

26

28

37

33

30

14

26

15

0 25 50 75 100


General community

10

10

12

23

23

28

27

28

28

24

22

20

15

18

11

0 25 50 75 100

I find it difficult to understand the

customs and ways of other races/cultures

Other races/cultures are harmful to mine

I worry about causing offence when I meet

people from other races/cultures



_____________________________

The media continues to be a key source of information about Indigenous people for most Australians

31

The general community remain more likely to cite the media (36%) or other secondary sources (such as school or other

research, 15%) as their main source of information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Unsurprisingly, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to learn about their people mostly from their own

interactions with their families and communities. However, there has been a notable increase in the number of Indigenous

people citing the media (10%) as their main source, up from 2% or less between 2008-12.

37

38

35

36

35

35

36

36

15

16

17

15

3

3

4

3

9

9

8

10

0 25 50 75 100

The media

Your own personal experiences with Indigenous people

School education or other research

Parents and family

Other people around you

2

2

10

62

57

57

49

4

5

2

7

28

32

37

28

4

4

4

6

0 25 50 75 100

2008

2010

2012

2014

Q. Which of the following is your main source of information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people?



_____________________________

We are divided over how the media usually portrays Indigenous people

32

Both the general community and Indigenous people are divided over whether the media usually portrays Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander people in a negative or balanced way.

However, Indigenous people are more likely to believe the media usually portrays non-Indigenous Australians positively

(30%), than the general community (16%).

Q. Do you believe the media presents mostly a positive, negative or balanced portrayal of the following groups of people in Australia?

50

44

19

6

7

16

44

49

66

0 25 50 75 100

Usually negative Usually positive Balanced

General community

47 14 39

45

15

10

30

45

54

0 25 50 75 100

Media portrayal of new immigrants from

overseas

Media portrayal of Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander Australians

Media portrayal of non-Indigenous Australians



_____________________________

Most Australians still agree we are better off with many cultural groups

33

The general community continues to mostly agree that Australia is better off for having many cultural groups (64%), as do

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (58%). However, while the general community sentiment has remained constant

since 2012, there has been a slight increase in the number of Indigenous respondents who disagree (18%), up from 9%.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are slightly more likely to strongly agree (30%) that all Australians could become

united, than the general community (21%).

3

4

5

6

3

11

9

10

10

10

21

20

23

23

23

44

43

42

43

40

21

25

20

19

24

0 25 50 75 100

Strongly disagree Disagree Neither agree nor disagree Agree Strongly agree

4

1

6

3

9

7

7

9

6

9

20

22

19

25

24

39

32

34

36

36

30

37

33

30

22

0 25 50 75 100

2014

2008

2010

2012

2014

Q. Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements.


Australia is better off because we have many different cultures:

I believe it is possible for all Australians to become united:


_____________________________

More Indigenous Australians believe Australia is a racist country

34

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are more likely to agree Australia is a racist country (48%), than the general

community (35%), and are much more likely to strongly agree (17%, compared to 6%).

Q. Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statement

6 29 33 24 8

0 25 50 75 100


General community

17 31 29 17 6

0 25 50 75 100

Australia is a racist country



_____________________________

Indigenous Australians are more likely to have experienced racial prejudice in the past 6 months

35

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are 3 times more likely to have experienced verbal abuse in the past 6 months

(31%), than the general community (13%), and are also more likely to have experienced at least one form of prejudice, on

the basis of their race.

5

2

2

3

4

13

95

98

98

97

96

87

0 25 50 75 100

Yes No

Q. In the past 6 months, have you personally experienced any of the following forms of prejudice, on the basis of your race?

General community

12 88

11

11

12

14

31

89

89

88

86

69

0 25 50 75 100

Other

Refused entry to a venue

Refused service in a shop

Prevented from renting or buying a property

Physical violence

Verbal abuse



_____________________________

Indigenous Australians are much more likely to have witnessed racial prejudice in the past 6 months

36

42% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have witnessed verbal abuse of another person in the past 6

months, twice as many as the general community (22%), and are much more likely to have witnessed at least one form of

prejudice, on the basis of their race.

Most notably, Indigenous respondents are more likely to have witnessed physical violence (23%) and refused entry to a

venue (22%), than the general community (4% respectively).

4

4

4

4

9

22

96

96

96

96

91

78

0 25 50 75 100

Yes No

Q. In the past 6 months, have you seen someone else experience any of the following forms of prejudice, on the basis of their race?

General community

10 90

22

19

17

23

42

78

81

83

77

58

0 25 50 75 100

Other

Refused entry to a venue

Refused service in a shop

Prevented from renting or buying a property

Physical violence

Verbal abuse



_____________________________

Indigenous Australians are much more likely to experience racial discrimination

37

14% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have felt racially discriminated against by a school teacher and/or

principal in the past 12 months, 5 times as many as the general community (3%). Indigenous Australians are also twice as

likely to have experienced racial discrimination from health workers and employers, than the general community.

4

2

2

2

1

2

6

4

2

88

93

94

0 25 50 75 100

Yes, in the past 6 months Yes, between 6-12 months ago Yes, but more than a year ago No

Q. Have you or members of your family felt racially discriminated against by any of the following groups?

General community

7 6 12 75

5

6

9

5

11

9

75

81

0 25 50 75 100

Employers

School teachers and/or principals

Doctors, nurses, and/or medical

staff etc



_____________________________

Indigenous Australians are much more likely to experience racial discrimination (cont.)

38

14% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have felt racially discriminated against by a local shop owner and/or staff

member in the past 12 months, 3 times as many as the general community (5%).

Similarly, more Indigenous respondents have experienced racial discrimination by police (16%) and real estate agents (11%)

in the past year, compared to just 4% of the general community.

3

2

2

2

2

2

3

3

3

92

93

93

0 25 50 75 100

Yes, in the past 6 months Yes, between 6-12 months ago Yes, but more than a year ago No

Q. Have you or members of your family felt racially discriminated against by any of the following groups?

General community

6 8 9 76

9

5

7

6

17

10

68

80

0 25 50 75 100

Local shop owners and/or

staff

Police

Real estate agents


Unity

39

How much do we all value Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander cultures?


_____________________________

Levels of knowledge about Indigenous history and culture 2008-2012

40

Between 2008-12, there remained a widespread lack of knowledge about Indigenous history and culture among the general

community, with more than half claiming to have a low level of knowledge or none at all.

Unsurprisingly, knowledge levels among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were far higher.

17

24

17

15

21

16

52

48

51

43

41

42

28

25

26

38

35

34

3

3

5

4

4

8

0 25 50 75 100

No knowledge at all/Very low Fairly low Fairly high Very high

3

4

5

4

2

5

13

11

11

9

8

8

44

48

42

42

48

35

40

37

42

46

41

51

0 25 50 75 100

2008

2010

2012

2008

2010

2012

Q. How would you describe your level of knowledge about the following topics?

Knowledge level about the history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people:

Knowledge level about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures:



_____________________________

Most Australians still largely feel they know little about Indigenous history or cultures

41

70% of the general community and 77% of Indigenous people believe they have a high level of knowledge about the history

of Australia. However, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are more likely to have a high level of knowledge about

the history of their people (73%) or their cultures (65%), than the general community (39% and 30% respectively).

The higher percentage of Indigenous respondents who feel they have a very high level of knowledge about Australian history

can be seen to highlight how central Indigenous history is for them to Australian history overall.

11

9

3

59

52

27

26

33

57

4

6

13

0 25 50 75 100

Very low/No knowledge at all Fairly low Fairly high Very high

Q. How would you describe your level of knowledge about the following topics?

General community

3

4

2

31

23

21

38

43

48

27

30

28

0 25 50 75 100

Knowledge about Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander cultures

Knowledge about the history of

Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander people in Australia

Knowledge about the history of

Australia



_____________________________

Perceptions of importance of Indigenous history and culture 2008-2012

42

Between 2008-2012, there was widespread agreement amongst both groups that it is important for all Australians to know

about Indigenous history and cultures.

However, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were much more likely to consider it was very important.

2

5

5

2

4

4

13

15

14

11

12

10

57

55

51

53

53

51

28

25

31

34

31

35

0 25 50 75 100

Not at all important Fairly unimportant Fairly important Very important

1

3

2

15

19

23

6

8

9

84

80

73

94

92

89

0 25 50 75 100

2008

2010

2012

2008

2010

2012

Q. How important is it that all Australians know about the following topics?

Importance of knowing about the history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people:

Importance of knowing about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures:



_____________________________

Knowing and learning about Indigenous history and cultures remains important

43

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are twice as likely to believe it is very important for all Australians to learn about

the history of Indigenous people (62%) or their cultures (57%) and that Indigenous history should be compulsory in school

(62%), compared to the general community (33% , 31% and 31% respectively). However, Indigenous respondents are also

more likely to believe it‟s very important to learn about the history of Australia as a whole. Again, this perhaps underlines how

Australian history and Indigenous history are inextricably linked for Indigenous people.

6

5

2

15

12

4

49

50

39

31

33

54

0 25 50 75 100


Q. How important is it that all Australians know about the following topics?

Q. Is it important or not for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history to be a compulsory part of the school curriculum?

General community

1

2

6

5

4

36

32

31

57

62

65

0 25 50 75 100

Importance of knowing about

Indigenous cultures

Importance of knowing about the

history of Indigenous people

Importance of knowing about the history of Australia


8 15 46 31

0 25 50 75 100

3 5 30 62

0 25 50 75 100

Important Indigenous history is a compulsory

part of the school curriculum?


_____________________________

We widely agree Indigenous people hold a unique and important place in the national identity

44

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to be more likely to strongly agree (59%) that their cultures are

important for Australia‟s national identity, compared to the general community (26%).

These sentiments are in line with respective levels of agreement that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people hold a

unique place as the first Australians.

2

3

3

3

7

7

8

5

20

20

18

20

46

49

48

46

25

21

23

26

0 25 50 75 100


2

2

5

10

7

11

11

28

92

87

83

59

0 25 50 75 100

2008

2010

2012

2014

Q. As an Australian, or as someone living in Australia, please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements.

Q. Do you agree or disagree that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people hold a unique place as the first Australians?


Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are important to Australia‟s identity as a nation?

4 4 21 40 31

0 25 50 75 100

22 9 23 64

0 25 50 75 100

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people hold a unique place as the first

Australians?


_____________________________

Most Australians remain proud of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures

45

The general community are more likely to agree they are proud of Australia‟s multiculturalism (67%) or British and European

cultures (64%) than they are of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures (57%).

Conversely, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are much more likely to agree they are proud of their cultures

(85%), although there has again been a softening in this regard with fewer now strongly agreeing. Indigenous respondents

also mostly agree they are proud of Australia‟s multiculturalism (66%) and British/European cultures (50%).

1

3

2

5

5

4

5

7

8

8

9

6

30

23

41

37

36

34

44

44

32

37

35

40

20

23

17

13

16

17

0 25 50 75 100


5

6

1

8

5

1

1

37

23

1

2

2

14

32

31

7

11

8

34

18

35

92

86

89

51

0 25 50 75 100

2014

2014

2008

2010

2012

2014

Q. As an Australian, or as someone living in Australia, please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements.


Proud of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures?

Proud of our multiculturalism?

Proud of our British/European cultures?


_____________________________

We mostly continue to think the 2008 Apology has improved the relationship

46

49% of the general community believe the 2008 Apology to the stolen generations has made the relationship between

Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians better, similar to 51% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

However, while the general community sentiment has remained constant since 2012, Indigenous respondents are not so

sure anymore, with an increase in those who now believe it has made the relationship worse. This perhaps highlights how

the „halo‟ effect of the Apology has now waned significantly for the Indigenous community.

4

5

3

5

6

4

50

43

44

35

41

41

7

6

8

0 25 50 75 100

It has made the relationship a lot worse A little worse No difference A little better A lot better

3

1

5

2

4

6

37

34

38

47

48

34

11

13

17

0 25 50 75 100

2010

2012

2014

Q. In February 2008, the Australian Parliament apologised to members of the stolen generations for past government policies that separated many Indigenous people

from their families and homelands. What effect, if any, do you think this apology has had on the relationship between Indigenous people and other Australians?


Perception of The Apology to the Stolen Generations in 2008:


_____________________________

Indigenous Australians are most likely to want things done to improve reconciliation

47

Both the general community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are more likely to want to do something to help

improve reconciliation than they are to know exactly what they can do.

However, Indigenous respondents are much more likely to strongly agree the Federal Government (43%) and businesses

(29%) should help improve reconciliation, than the general community (19% and 11% respectively).


5

4

25

8

47

44

20

36

4

8

0 25 50 75 100


General community

3

3

11

3

39

26

34

46

13

22

0 25 50 75 100

I know what I can do to help

improve reconciliation

I would like to do something

to help improve reconciliation


6

4

11

8

36

25

36

43

11

19

0 25 50 75 100

3

2

4

2

25

17

38

36

29

43

0 25 50 75 100

Businesses should put measures in place to help

improve reconciliation

The Federal Government should put measures in place to help improve reconciliation


_____________________________

We agree ANZAC Day could celebrate Australia’s national unity with more shared ceremonies

48

Both the general community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people largely believe a range of things could become

shared icons that celebrate a national unity and identity, particularly official ANZAC ceremonies to honour both non-

Indigenous and Indigenous soldiers. There is also widespread agreement for Acknowledging Country at citizenship

ceremonies and for official dual naming of significant sites and landmarks.

47

55

61

66

75

0 25 50 75 100

Having Welcome to Country addresses at major sporting events (e.g. Melbourne

Cup, International matches, etc)

Making Mabo Day (June 3) a day of national significance

Official dual naming of significant sites in Australia, using English AND Aboriginal or

Torres Strait Islander names (e.g. Uluru/Ayers Rock)

Acknowledgement of the Traditional Custodians of the land at Australian

Citizenship ceremonies

Official ANZAC Day ceremonies to honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander AND

non-Indigenous soldiers

Yes

Q. Many countries have shared cultural icons or events that celebrate their national unity and identity. Do you feel the following changes/events

would celebrate this unity in Australia?

General community

71

75

76

83

84

0 25 50 75 100


Shared cultural icons or events that would celebrate national unity and identity:


_____________________________

We mostly think more needs to be done to reduce problems of prejudice

49

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are more likely to think that various organisations need to do more to reduce

problems of prejudice in Australia, than the general community. In particular, Indigenous respondents more widely believe

Government (42%) and the business sector (26%) need to do a lot more, than the general community (23% and 15%

respectively). Indigenous people are also more likely to believe their own organisations need to do a lot more.

Q. Are the following groups doing enough to reduce problems of discrimination and prejudice between non-Indigenous people and Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander peoples?

12

14

19

15

2

2

4

3

4

2

2

2

25

29

31

36

34

35

29

32

23

18

15

13

0 25 50 75 100

Don't know Should do nothing Should do less Doing as much as they can Need to do more Need to do a lot more

General community

6

6

10

8

2

1

4

2

3

2

2

3

13

33

20

24

34

34

39

40

42

24

26

23

0 25 50 75 100

Government departments


Islander organisations

Private sector businesses

Community sector

organisations

Doing enough to reduce problems of discrimination and prejudice between non-Indigenous and

Indigenous peoples?



_____________________________

We mostly think more needs to be done to create a stronger relationship

50

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are more likely to think that various organisations need to do more to create a

stronger relationship among Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, than the general community. In

particular, Indigenous respondents more widely believe Government (42%) and the business sector (29%) need to do a lot

more, than the general community (23% and 15% respectively). Indigenous people are also more likely to believe their own

organisations need to do a lot more.

Q. Are the following groups doing enough to create a stronger relationship between non-Indigenous people and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?

13

15

19

17

2

2

4

2

4

2

2

2

24

26

27

31

34

37

33

34

23

18

15

13

0 25 50 75 100


General community

5

6

10

7

2

1

2

3

2

2

2

2

12

30

18

21

38

37

38

45

42

24

29

22

0 25 50 75 100





Community sector

organisations

Doing enough to create a stronger relationship between non-Indigenous and Indigenous peoples?


Material Equity and Cultural Security

51

How do we feel about our living standards and is enough

being done to close the gap?


_____________________________

Racial/cultural differences are seen as the biggest cause of social divisions in Australia

52

Difference in racial/cultural backgrounds is mostly widely as the biggest cause of divisions in our society, by both the general

community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Difference in income and wealth is also cited as the biggest

cause by 1 in 4 people among both groups.

5

5

10

14

25

41

0 25 50 75 100

Differences in health

Political differences

Differences in education

Differences in religion

Differences in income and wealth

Differences in racial/cultural background

%

2

5

11

19

24

39

0 25 50 75 100

Differences in health

Political differences

Differences in education

Differences in religion

Differences in income and wealth

Differences in racial/cultural background

%


Q. What is the biggest cause of divisions between people in Australia?


_____________________________

Indigenous Australians are twice as likely to consider their living conditions are worse than most peoples’

53

68% of the general community consider their own living conditions to be comfortable, compared with 52% of Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander people. However, while 47% of the general public consider their own living conditions to be about the

same as the majority of people in Australia, 38% of Indigenous respondents feel that way. It is notable that a higher

percentage of Indigenous people (16%) thinks their living standard is a “lot better” than the majority‟s. This may highlight how

many Indigenous people live in communities with greater extremes of living standards, making their own relatively better.

Q. How would you describe your own living conditions?

Q. How do you feel your living conditions compare with the majority of people in Australia?

1 3 29 52 16

0 25 50 75 100

Very poor Poor Just getting by Comfortable Very comfortable

General community

2 13 47 29 9

0 25 50 75 100

My conditions are a lot worse Slightly worse About the same Slightly better A lot better


4 4 40 34 18

0 25 50 75 100

Own living conditions

8 20 38 18 16

0 25 50 75 100

Own living conditions

compared to majority in Australia


_____________________________

Indigenous Australians are more likely to feel their prospects will change for the worse or better

54

Both the general and community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people largely think their prospects for next year

will stay the same. However, Indigenous respondents are more likely to think that their conditions will either get worse or

improve, in terms of home life, financial situation and working situation. This perhaps underlines how for the majority of

people in the general community, a stable lifestyle is much more common.

Q. Thinking ahead 12 months, how do you see your prospects will change in the following areas?

11

22

7

70

54

72

19

24

22

0 25 50 75 100

Get worse Stay the same Improve

General community

16

27

13

58

44

58

26

29

29

0 25 50 75 100

My working situation

will…

My financial situation

will…

My home life will…

Perceptions of how prospects will change in the next year:



_____________________________

Indigenous Australians more widely see employment barriers in terms of education and equal opportunity

55

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are more likely to feel that employers in Australia do not follow equal opportunity

laws and practices (34%), compared with the general community (24%).

Similarly, Indigenous respondents more widely disagree (45%) that the education system prepares children well for

employment, than the general community (39%).


12

7

27

17

29

35

28

35

4

6

0 25 50 75 100


General community

18

9

27

25

28

33

18

23

9

9

0 25 50 75 100

The Australian education system prepares children well to find a job

Employers in Australia follow the Equal Opportunity

laws



_____________________________

We mostly think more needs to be done in areas of education to close the gap

56

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are more likely to think that various organisations need to do more in areas of

education, to help close the gap, than the general community. In particular, Indigenous respondents more widely believe

government (41%) and the business sector (29%) need to do a lot more, than the general community (24% and 14%


Q. Are the following groups doing enough to help close the gap between non-Indigenous people and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, in

areas of education?

12

16

20

17

2

2

4

2

2

1

1

1

25

27

28

32

34

36

33

34

24

19

14

13

0 25 50 75 100


General community

Doing enough to help close the gap between non-Indigenous and Indigenous peoples in education?

6

5

10

8

2

1

4

2

0

2

1

0

30

19

36

35

38

38

41

26

29

24

0 25 50 75 100





Community sector organisations



_____________________________

We mostly think more needs to be done in areas of health to close the gap

57


health, to help close the gap, than the general community. In particular, Indigenous respondents more widely believe


respectively). Indigenous people are slightly more likely to believe their own organisations are doing as much as they can, in

this regard.


areas of health?

12

15

16

20

2

1

2

5

2

1

1

2

22

26

31

30

34

34

34

29

28

23

15

15

0 25 50 75 100


General community

Doing enough to help close the gap between non-Indigenous and Indigenous peoples in health?

7

5

10

7

2

1

2

1

2

2

1

2

12

29

20

27

32

38

37

38

45

26

30

26

0 25 50 75 100





Community sector

organisations



_____________________________

We mostly think more needs to be done in areas of employment to close the gap

58


employment, to help close the gap, than the general community. In particular, Indigenous respondents more widely believe




areas of employment?

12

13

13

14

2

2

3

2

2

2

1

1

28

29

28

33

38

38

40

39

18

16

15

11

0 25 50 75 100


General community

Doing enough to help close the gap between non-Indigenous and Indigenous peoples in employment?

7

6

4

7

1

1

2

2

2

1

2

3

19

19

33

26

39

35

34

38

31

39

25

24

0 25 50 75 100





Community sector

organisations



_____________________________

Indigenous Australians more often feel they can’t be true to their culture or personal beliefs

59

The general community are more likely to believe they can be true to their own culture or personal believes in various

contexts, than Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. In particular, Indigenous respondents more widely feel they can

never or only sometimes can be themselves in their interactions with government (53%), or in interactions with law and order

officials (54%), than the general public (35% and 32% respectively). Indigenous people are also more likely to believe they

can‟t always be themselves in the general community.

Q. Do you feel you can be true to culture or personal beliefs in the following contexts?

8

7

7

5

27

27

25

26

66

66

68

69

0 25 50 75 100

No, never Only sometimes Yes, always

General community

10

11

10

6

43

39

44

44

47

50

46

51

0 25 50 75 100

In my interactions with Government

departments

At work

In my interactions with Police or the

Courts

In the general community

Can you be true to your culture or personal beliefs in the following contexts?



_____________________________

Indigenous Australians more often feel they don’t have the right to raise their issues

60

The general community are more likely to believe they have the right to raise their issues in various contexts, than Aboriginal

and Torres Strait Islander people. In particular, Indigenous respondents more widely feel they never or only sometimes have

this right in their interactions with government (50%), or in interactions with law and order officials (51%), than the general

public (42% and 44% respectively).

Q. If you feel unhappy about something, do you feel you have the right to raise your issues in the following contexts?

7

10

11

10

40

34

33

32

53

56

56

58

0 25 50 75 100


General community

8

11

13

10

44

39

38

40

47

49

49

50

0 25 50 75 100


At work


Courts


departments

Do you feel you have the right to raise your issues in the following contexts?



_____________________________

Indigenous Australians more often feel they don’t have the opportunity to raise their issues

61

The general community are more likely to believe they have the opportunity to raise their issues in various contexts, than

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. In particular, Indigenous respondents more widely feel they never or only

sometimes have this opportunity at work (59%) or in the general community (63%), than the general public (52% and 57%

respectively).

Q. If you feel unhappy about something, do you feel you have the opportunity to raise your issues in the following contexts?

14

11

15

12

43

46

41

40

43

44

44

48

0 25 50 75 100


General community

16

12

16

14

47

51

45

45

38

37

39

41

0 25 50 75 100


departments



Courts

At work

Do you feel you have the opportunity to raise your issues in the following contexts?


Historical Acceptance

62

How much do we accept the wrongs of the past?


_____________________________

We mostly accept key facts about past injustices

63

Both the general community and Indigenous people largely accept a number of key facts about Australia‟s past institutional

prejudices against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

However, there is greatest disagreement between the groups regarding the fact that Australia was owned by Indigenous

communities at the time of British colonisation, with 69% of Indigenous respondents seeing this as factual, compared to 53%

of the general public.

Q. Do you accept or not accept the following as facts about Australia‟s past?

16

10

14

11

14

31

35

28

25

21

53

55

59

64

65

0 25 50 75 100

I do not accept this I am unsure about this I accept this

General community

8

13

16

13

18

23

28

19

24

22

69

59

65

64

60

0 25 50 75 100

Australia was owned by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities at the time of

colonisation in 1770

Government policy in the 1900s dictated where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians

could live and be employed

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians were subject to mass

killings, incarceration, forced removal from land and restricted movement throughout the 1800s

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people did not have full voting rights throughout Australia

until the 1960s

Government policy enabled Aboriginal children to be removed from their families without

permission until the 1970s

Do we accept the following as facts?



_____________________________

We are divided on whether Indigenous people are responsible for their disadvantages today

64

The general community (34%) are more likely to believe Indigenous people are responsible for their own disadvantages

today, than Indigenous people (25%). However, both the general public and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

widely agree that many Indigenous people are disadvantaged today because of past racial policies.

The general public (43%) are less certain about colonial legacy as a cause of disadvantage, than Indigenous people (61%).

Q. How much do you agree or disagree with the following statements?

10 24 36 20 10

0 25 50 75 100

Strongly agree Agree Neither agree or disagree Disagree Strongly disagree

General community

10 15 30 22 23

0 25 50 75 100

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Australians are responsible for their own disadvantages

today


7

6

14

12

35

30

32

38

11

14

0 25 50 75 100

Strongly disagree Disagree Neither agree or disagree Agree Strongly agree

7

5

7

7

26

21

37

37

24

30

0 25 50 75 100

Australia's colonial legacy

Past racial policies

Are many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians disadvantaged today because of…?


_____________________________

We widely agree that past policies have been a cause of many Indigenous disadvantages

65

The general community are far less likely to agree strongly that past government policies are responsible for many forms of

disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people today, than Indigenous people. In particular, many

more Indigenous respondents strongly agree past policies have been a cause of poor education (41%), and discrimination

(38%), compared to just 17% respectively of the general public.

Q. How much do you agree or disagree that race-based policies of past governments are a cause of the following disadvantages suffered by some

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians?

5

4

5

7

14

10

12

17

27

28

25

24

38

41

41

29

16

17

17

23

0 25 50 75 100


General community

3

3

3

5

7

4

7

7

19

19

17

19

36

36

32

27

36

38

41

42

0 25 50 75 100

Poor health

Discrimination

Poor education

Alcohol and substance abuse

Have past government policies been a cause of these disadvantages among some Indigenous Australians?



_____________________________

We widely agree that past policies have been a cause of many Indigenous disadvantages (cont.)

66

The general community are far less likely to agree strongly that past government policies are responsible for many forms of

disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people today, than Indigenous people. In particular, 36%

of Indigenous respondents strongly agree past policies have been a cause of the lack of respect for their people, and

inadequate living conditions (37%), compared to just 15% and 14% respectively of the general public.

Q. How much do you agree or disagree that race-based policies of past governments are a cause of the following disadvantages suffered by some

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians?

5

6

4

3

4

16

15

12

13

12

30

30

30

30

29

35

35

39

38

39

14

14

15

15

15

0 25 50 75 100


General community

3

7

4

4

4

8

7

5

7

6

25

29

21

19

19

28

32

36

38

36

37

25

34

32

36

0 25 50 75 100

Inadequate living conditions

Lack of personal responsibility (among Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander people)

Lack of confidence and low self esteem of Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander people

Low employment

Lack of respect (for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

people)

Have past government policies been a cause of these disadvantages among some Indigenous Australians?



_____________________________

We widely agree it is important for all Australians to learn more about past issues

67

The general community are far less likely to agree strongly (39%) that it‟s important to learn about the past issues of European

settlement and government policies experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, than Indigenous people

(66%).

Q. Is it important or not important for all Australians to learn more about the past issues of European settlement and government policy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander people?

General community

4 11 46 39

0 25 50 75 100


4 4 26 66

0 25 50 75 100

Important for all Australians to learn more about the past issues of

European settlement and government policy for Indigenous people?



_____________________________

Indigenous Australians are more divided on whether past issues can be forgiven or not

68

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are more likely to feel the wrongs of the past must be rectified before we can

move on with reconciliation (37%) , compared with the general community (23%). Conversely, the general public more widely

feel there should be forgiveness so we can now move on (66%), compared to Indigenous respondents (45%).

Q. In terms of the history of European settlement in Australia, which of the following statements do you most agree with?

General community

5 6 23

There should be forgiveness for the

wrongs of the past and all Australians should

now move on, 66

0 25 50 75 100

The wrongs of the past can never be forgiven

I dont believe there have been any wrongs of the past

The wrongs of the past must be rectified before all Australians can move on

There should be forgiveness for the wrongs of the past and all Australians should now move on

14 4

The wrongs of the past must be

rectified before all Australians can

move on, 37

There should be forgiveness for the wrongs of the past and all Australians should now move

on, 45

0 25 50 75 100


Appendix

69

Respondent profiles


_______________________________

Sample characteristics:

70

Gender and ageGeneral community

weighted %

General community

(raw numbers)

Indigenous community

weighted %


(raw numbers)

Male 49% 558 49% 209

Female 51% 542 51% 293

18 to 29 years old 21% 138 34% 132

30 to 39 18% 254 21% 132

40 to 49 18% 183 20% 100

50 to 59 17% 220 14% 76

60 to 69 13% 214 7% 58

70+ 13% 91 4% 4

Education levelGeneral community

weighted %

General community

(raw numbers)


weighted %


(raw numbers)

Part of secondary school 8% 91 13% 73

Secondary school 23% 239 27% 130

TAFE / Apprenticeship 28% 331 40% 198

University degree 29% 308 15% 76

Postgraduate university degree 12% 131 5% 25

General community total sample size = 1100. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander total sample size = 502

Please note, percentages have been rounded and may not equal 100%


_______________________________


71

BirthGeneral community

weighted %

General community

(raw numbers)


weighted %


(raw numbers)

Born in Australia 73% 558 99% 496

Not born in Australia 27% 542 1% 6

No n-Indigenous 98% 1084

Australian Aboriginal / Torres Strait Islander 2% 16 100% 502

Cultural background

(non-Indigenous)

General community

weighted %

General community

(raw numbers)

British or Irish 50% 566

European 23% 248

Asian 12% 116

Middle Eastern 2% 18

African 1% 5

Pacific Islander 1% 5

Central or South American 1% 6

Other or mixed culture 12% 120




_______________________________


72

State General community

weighted %

General community

(raw numbers)


weighted %


(raw numbers)

NSW 32% 365 32% 202

VIC 25% 275 7% 90

QLD 20% 208 28% 130

WA 10% 89 13% 23

SA 8% 118 6% 26

Other 5% 45 15% 31

Metro/RegionalGeneral community

weighted %

General community

(raw numbers)


weighted %


(raw numbers)

Capital city 67% 724 44% 206

Major regional city 12% 131 19% 90

Regional town 8% 98 16% 93

Rural town 8% 91 13% 74

Remote town or community 5% 56 9% 39




_______________________________


73

Household income

(gross)

General community

weighted %

General community

(raw numbers)


weighted %


(raw numbers)

Less than $30,000 15% 162 24% 121

$30,000 - $49,999 18% 196 16% 108

$50,000 - $69,999 14% 154 11% 59

$70,000 - $89,999 10% 118 12% 62

$90,000 - $119,999 15% 163 11% 36

$120,000 - $149,999 6% 70 4% 18

$150,000 - $249,999 9% 96 5% 28

$250,000 or more 1% 11 0% 1

Don’t know/prefer not to say 13% 130 17% 69



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