Introduction
Australian society is commonly typified by a remarkable degree of diversity. However, some aspects of this society indicate that it is more egalitarian than other nations. For instance, social mobility is relatively high in Australia, making it easier for people to explore the dynamic and extensive socioeconomic sphere. The country is further characterized by a robust camaraderie culture that upholds justice, fairness, and equality (Malek, Lim & Yigitcanlar, 2021). However, it is critical to acknowledge that Australian people portray certain qualities that are usually attributed to a class society.
Although on subtler levels, there exist substantial socioeconomic gaps between various racial and ethnic groups, some of which are worse than others. The fact that Australia is sometimes associated with discrimination against particular groups like Indigenous Australians demonstrates that society, in its entirety, is not perfectly egalitarian (Panza & Williamson, 2019). This implies that there exist certain areas within its society that might need adjustments for the country to be considered fully equitable. A breakdown of Australia as an egalitarian and class society, the concept of social inclusion and the different measures taken by the country to achieve social equality form the basis of this paper.
Concept of Social Inclusion
According to Malek et al., (2021), social inclusion refers to the process of ensuring that every member of a society has equal access to opportunities and resources. Its fundamental pillars are grounded upon guaranteeing that everyone enjoys equal rights regardless of their social standing, political affiliations, financial status, or any other stratification aspects. Social inclusion, typified by creating a more unified and cooperative community, can result from the government providing everyone with an equal chance to engage in societal activities. With this in mind, this ideology can boost individuals’ economic outcomes while lowering crime rates and other social vices. However, social inclusion is not always simple to attain because the few individuals who benefit from the current system of social exclusion may be resistant, which makes the former’s success more challenging. Nevertheless, achieving it is crucial if a fair and just society is desired. Governments should play a significant role in guiding society towards this direction through the formulation and implementation of relevant policies and reforms. The section below highlights some of the measures taken by the Australian government to attain social equity.
Strategies and Measures Adopted by Australia to Achieve Social Equity
Australia has implemented several policies to attain social equality. These include initiatives like the formulation of anti-discrimination laws, expansion of education and training opportunities and providing specific aid to underprivileged populations. Concomitantly, different federal programs, including the Closing the Gap Act and the National Disability Insurance Scheme, have been implemented in recent years to boost social inclusion (Laragy & Fisher, 2020). By warning the public against the unfair treatment of minority groups, anti-discrimination legislation plays a significant role in establishing social fairness.
Discrimination based on an individual’s race, religious affiliations, gender orientation, age, or impairment is prohibited by these statutes. Irrespective of background, everyone is entitled to the same rights, privileges, and opportunities (Panza & Williamson, 2019). Such laws contribute to setting equal grounds in society, an aspect which promotes social harmony and economic growth. Furthermore, these regulations strongly convey that discrimination is not tolerated in Australian society. This message has the potential to change the preexisting attitudes and prejudices that support social exclusion and inequality.
Secondly, to achieve social fairness, Australia has prioritized expanding access to education and training. Providing free, subsidized or inexpensive education, boosting students’ financial aid, and enhancing access to education in rural areas are some examples of what the policy entails. Access to education ensures that everyone has an equal chance at success. Additionally, since those who have access to training and education are more likely to secure good employment and make a respectable living, the policy can help in ending the cycle of overdependence among members of society.
Thirdly, the country endeavors to promote social fairness by offering targeted support to underprivileged communities. This move gives everyone an equal opportunity to engage in society by ensuring that those who are most disadvantaged have access to the information, opportunities and relevant resources they need to succeed. In addition, this initiative can help to eliminate the vicious cycle of poverty, making it simpler for upcoming generations to achieve social fairness.
Fourthly, Australians with disabilities can receive support and assistance from the government through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). In 2013, the Productivity Commission’s inquiry posted to the Disability Care and Support led to the creation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (Laragy & Fisher, 2020). By guaranteeing that people with disabilities have the same opportunities and access to services as everyone else, the NDIS seeks to increase social inclusion among this marginalized cohort. The program offers financial support for services like home-based care medical attendance and equipment supply to disabled persons across the country. It further provides financial assistance so that persons with disabilities can live independently and participate in regular societal activities (Laragy & Fisher, 2020).
Another government project that seeks to enhance social inclusion is the Closing the Gap strategy. The intervention was introduced in 2008, following the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission’s 2007 Social Justice Report publication (Laragy & Fisher, 2020). The strategy’s main objective is to bridge the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in terms of health, education and economic disparities. This is accomplished through a variety of reforms tailored towards social equality. These initiatives include but are not limited to expanding access to education and training, enhancing career prospects, and offering focused health services.
Conclusion
Australia has been identified as a country with diversity that exhibits both egalitarian and classical societal aspects. Although there remains work to be done, policies such Closing the Gap Program and the National Disability Insurance Scheme have aided in enhancing social equity, especially among the disenfranchised cohorts. The study of social equality aspects highlighted in this paper can be used by readers to build a more inclusive and just society, irrespective of individuals’ physical vulnerabilities, gender orientation and ethnical backgrounds.
References
Laragy, C., & Fisher, K. R. (2020). Choice, control and individual funding: The Australian national disability insurance scheme. Choice, Preference, and Disability, R. J. Stancliff, M. L. Wehmeyer & K. A. Shogren (Eds.), 133-154. Web.
Malek, J. A., Lim, S. B., & Yigitcanlar, T. (2021). Social inclusion indicators for building citizen-centric smart cities: A systematic literature review. Sustainability, 13(1), 376. Web.
Panza, L., & Williamson, J. G. (2019). Always Egalitarian? Australian Earnings Inequality C1870. Centre for Economic Policy Research. Web.