Tracking attitudes

RESEARCHERS at Melbourne’s

Monash University regularly report on Australia’s social cohesiveness. The term social cohesion refers to the bonds, or “glue”, that holds a society together, often through common values, beliefs and behaviours.

The Mapping Social Cohesion Report conducted by the Scanlon Foundation

is the largest of its kind and tracks Australian attitudes to immigration, multiculturalism, discrimination and political trust. The latest report has found that despite significant demographic change over the past decade, including population rise and increased diversity, Australian attitudes have remained largely positive. Notably, 63 per cent of respondents agree or strongly agree that “accepting immigrants from many different countries makes Australia stronger”. A minority of Australians (37 per cent) believe Australia’s immigration intake is “too high”. There is also agreement that ‘multiculturalism has been good for Australia but those reporting discrimination on the basis skin colour, ethnic origin or religion has more than doubled from 9 to 20 per cent. Concern over the economy remains the most important problem facing Australia today by a wide margin, although it has dropped to 26 per cent from 36 perc ent in 2013. Poor quality of government is the second-ranked issue at 10 per cent.

Learn more:

2017 Mapping Social Cohesion Report: bit.ly/2CVWh2d