The recent Scanlon Research Foundation's 'Mapping Social Cohesion 2024' contains some good news for Australia but, at a time when democracy is under attack across the globe from rising divisiveness and autocracy, it also serves as a warning.
It was great news to hear that Australians overwhelmingly continue to view multiculturalism and immigration as of benefit to the nation, despite rising concerns about housing and the cost of living.
The report, which surveyed more than 8000 Australians on a range of social, financial and wellbeing indicators, found that social cohesion in Australia remained strong despite rising conflict, polarisation and divisiveness across the globe was also welcome.
The survey found 85 per cent of Australians believed multiculturalism was good for the nation; and more than 70 per cent of people said they felt a sense of belonging in Australia.
While the nation was split down the middle on whether Australia is taking in too many migrants or not, thankfully more than three quarters of those surveyed disagreed with the proposal that Australia should reject migrants on the basis of race or faith.
The results of the survey are a reflection of decades of work by government, civil society organisations and individuals to foster multiculturalism and inclusiveness which, in turn, bolsters social cohesion.
But the findings of the report also contain warnings about where society might be headed.
Almost half of those surveyed said migration was 'too high', up sharply from 33 per cent last year.
At a time when some people are questioning the size of our immigration program, or even its very existence, it's important to remember that migrants create jobs and they boost productivity, which drives up wages.
Migration is more important than ever as a bulwark to our economic prosperity. Migration will also supply many of the tens of thousands of workers we will need in the care, renewables and other industries into the future.
We know racist or negative public comments or social media posts about migrants and migration can be damaging for individuals and for our social fabric and community cohesion.
The report identified housing and economic issues as among the biggest concerns for Australians. Forty-one per cent of people said they were either 'poor, 'struggling to pay bills' or 'just getting by'.
A corollary to this is the finding that Australians' trust in government is waning.
Inequality is a cancer to social cohesion and cost of living pressures can impact financial, personal and social wellbeing.
To be able to retain our high levels of social cohesion and unity, we need to ensure there are opportunities for everyone and the growing gap between rich and poor needs to be reined in by enshrining fairness across our taxation, education and social welfare institutions and infrastructure.
The report also made some interesting findings on intercultural relations that are both encouraging but also serve as a warning.
Overall, intercultural relations were also strong, with 66 per cent of people agreeing 'we should do more to learn about different ethnic and cultural groups'.
Eighty-six per cent of people said they 'liked meeting and getting to know people from other ethnic and cultural groups' and 59 per cent said they often spend time with people from different ethnic of cultural groups - 56 per cent in the case of Australian-born people.
Eighty per cent said they had two or more close friends from different national, ethnic or religious groups – 76 per cent in the case of Australian-born people.
But there were also some warnings.
Thirty-four per cent of Australians born overseas from non-English speaking backgrounds experienced discrimination in the past 12 months.
Forty per cent had been treated differently or less favourably in the past 12 months and 36 per cent had been made to feel like they did belong.
The lessons from all of this are simple.
Social cohesion can be an antidote or balsam to negative or damaging pressures emerging in society.
It can help to prevent deeper division in society while also supporting personal wellbeing and social connections.
But our current high levels of social cohesion and acceptance of multiculturalism are not an accident. Social cohesion is something we need to work hard to protect and nourish.
The Scanlon report shows us that Australia is perhaps a threshold.
We can follow much of the rest of the world and allow the rise of divisiveness, demagogues and even xenophobia. Or, we can take the opportunity to reassert our commitment to social cohesion and multiculturalism; and to recognise the benefits they bring to all Australians.
All of this means that that we do at AMES – along with many other settlement and multicultural organisations across the country – in fostering social cohesion and community connectedness has never been more important.
Cath Scarth, CEO of AMES Australia
13 December 2024