There ar
e several factors that create tension between indigenous and non- indigenous Australians and the most prominent of these is the recognition of Aboriginals to sovereignty, which is poorly acknowledged through the Constitution (Costa, 2000). In a political environment, recognition of Australians indigenous people has been poorly emphasised. This is evident with the Referendum in 1967 which was the first legislation to recognise Aboriginals as Australians and created laws for their inclusion into Australian society, such as the right to vote (Costa, 2000).
e several factors that create tension between indigenous and non- indigenous Australians and the most prominent of these is the recognition of Aboriginals to sovereignty, which is poorly acknowledged through the Constitution (Costa, 2000). In a political environment, recognition of Australians indigenous people has been poorly emphasised. This is evident with the Referendum in 1967 which was the first legislation to recognise Aboriginals as Australians and created laws for their inclusion into Australian society, such as the right to vote (Costa, 2000).A second major factor is the history of settlement within Australia and the atrocities the Australian settlers inflicted on the native inhabitants of the land. These atrocities have not be limited to the settlement of Australia, but can be seen as ongoing unethical acts such as the Stolen Generation, to more recent times of the social injustice measures of inadequate housing, health and education and the erosion of aboriginal culture and heritage (Costa, 2000).
These factors have created a separation of indigenous people from non-indigenous Australians as Aboriginals had not previously been included in our national identity, which has lead to a divide in cross cultural relationships between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians, and continues to be an ongoing issue in relationship formation and a unified social identity, not to mention shared social values.
Australian identity has also impacted on the nature of some other cross-cultural relationships. This is observed in Australia’s views towards people of Middle Eastern decent since “9/11” in the United States of America and increased prejudice towards Muslims, which has been highly politicised.
Australian identity has also impacted on the nature of some other cross-cultural relationships. This is observed in Australia’s views towards people of Middle Eastern decent since “9/11” in the United States of America and increased prejudice towards Muslims, which has been highly politicised.
