POLITY - Reconciliation Australia · POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____ Introduction & background...

POLITYRESEARCH & CONSULTING

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Contents

1. Introduction & background

2. Methodology

► ARB approach 2008-2012

► ARB approach 2014-2016

► Online survey details

3. Australian Reconciliation Barometer 2016

► Key findings and trends analysis

► Key State segment results

► Full results:

Race Relations

Unity

Material Equality and Cultural Security

Historical Acceptance

4. Appendix

► Online survey sample profiles

2


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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.

As in 2014, this latest Barometer aligns closely with RA’s Reconciliation Outcomes Framework, to focus on 4 of the 5 key dimensions:

Race Relations, Unity, Material Equality and Historical Acceptance

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Methodology 2008-12 Barometers

Original ARB developmentTo 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, Rockhamptonand 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.

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Methodology 2014-2016 Barometer

ARB reviewed and refinedIn 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, the Barometer was 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 ARB since 2014 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.

In 2014, 1100 residents aged 18+ in the general community and 502 in the Indigenous community completed the survey in Sept-Oct 2014.

General Community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Samples - 2016 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 2277 completed the survey between 14 July and 8 August 2016, and is associated with a margin of error of +/-2.1% at the 95% confidence interval. This means that if a result of 50% is found, we can be 95% confident the real result is between 47.9% and 52.1%.

As in 2014, 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 500 completed the survey between 14 July and 1 August 2016 (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


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Methodology 2016 Barometer

General Community Sample – 2016: State segments The general community sample of Australian residents has been increased from previous waves, to allow for viable State sub-segments for the first time. The sample of 2277 included quotas set for some Sates and NT, and are associated with the following margins of error at the 95% confidence interval:

NSW +/-4.0%, Victoria +/-4.4%, QLD +/-4.9%

WA, SA, Tasmania, +/-6.9%

NT, +/-11.3%

NOTE: State breakouts in this report have each been weighted separately as per ABS stats per State/Territory. It has not been possible to segment for the ACT, due to a very small sample size. Further details of the composition are provided in the Appendix.

Acknowledged limitationsGaining 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 heritage 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, Iranian 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.

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The social context of changing attitudes

7

Before interpreting any changes in the survey results between2008 and 2014, it is worthwhile examining how the broader social,political, and economic environment has changed in Australiaduring this period. There have been some important changes inthe last 6 years and these may have influenced our attitudes toreconciliation and other Indigenous issues.

The Apology to the Stolen Generation

There were two “Indigenous events”, which were prominent at thetime of the first Barometer, but have since become less visible asmajor issues in the media and the political debate. The first ofthese was the Federal Government’s Apology to the StolenGeneration in February 2008. This event acknowledged andbrought attention to the impact of past government policies onIndigenous Australians. It was generally well received by thebroader community, as well as Indigenous people, with the lattertypically seeing it as a crucial step towards building betterrelations between the groups. As such, the apology broughtattention to the issue of reconciliation in a positive way that set anoptimistic tone for the future.

The Northern Territory Intervention

The other major event occurring around the time of the firstBarometer was the Northern Territory Intervention which began inlate 2007. As with the Apology it generated significant mediaattention, but this time it was mostly focussed around negativeportrayals of Indigenous people associated with themes of abuse,disadvantage and neglect. Although supported by both sides ofpolitics, the intervention was controversial, with Indigenous peopleand other Australians divided on its merits.

In the time since these two events, there has generally been lessattention given to Indigenous issues in the media, and there hasalso been a drop in the political salience of Indigenous issuescompared to other concerns.

The Global Financial Crisis

On a broader level there has also been a major change in theglobal financial environment and this has affected the importancethat Australians ascribe to various issues. Concern over theGlobal Financial Crisis peaked around 2009 and continues toaffect sentiment today. At a broad level the GFC has beenassociated with a general shift in the public mood, from one ofprosperity to one of uncertainty and guarded optimism. Otherpublic indicators have shown that over this period Australianshave become relatively more concerned about job security andtheir financial stability and relatively less concerned with “non-financial issues” such as the environment or Indigenousreconciliation.

Campaign for Constitutional Recognition

Since 2010 there has been considerable progress towards anagreement to hold a referendum that would recognise Indigenouspeople in the constitution. The expert panel for constitutionalchange released their initial report in January 2012 withrecommendations for specific constitutional amendments. Themovement for constitutional change had a relatively low profile atthe time of the 2012 Barometer but has steadily gained attentionduring 2013-2016.

The Political Landscape, 2013-2016

The Federal election of 2013 saw a change of CommonwealthGovernment and the ushering in of a national focus on austerityand a more conservative agenda, particularly towards immigrationand welfare. However, the Coalition under both Abbott andTurnbull has shown strong support for Constitutional Recognition,although the process has slowed to undertake Indigenousconsultation. These ‘mixed messages’ are arguably both helpingand hindering the reconciliation cause.

Australian Reconciliation Barometer 2016 Insights

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Key findings and trends analysis


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100 99 98

96 97

91

87 87 86

89

50

60

70

80

90

100

Late '07Early '08Late '08Early '09Late '09Early '10Late '10Early '11Late '11Early '12Late '12Early '13Late '13Early '14Late '14Early '15Late '15Early '16Late '16

Indigenous respondents who feel the relationship is fairly/very important

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

4th Barometer Sept 2014

3rd Barometer July 2012

2nd Barometer May 2010

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.

Levels of importance have remained largely consistent since 2008, though dipping slightly during the Abbott Government term.

5th Barometer Aug 2016

1st Barometer May 2008

NT intervention

Stolen generation apology

GFC peak/Decline in community confidence

Constitutional change panel reports/ Aus day incident

Constitutional Recognition still not certain

Abbott Govt focuses on ‘austerity’ and border protection


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Indigenous Australians are more likely to feel other Australians trust them, than actually do

10

A gap remains in the level of trust seen to be held by other Australians for Indigenous Australians. While only one in four (25%) of the general community hold fairly high/very high trust for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, one in three (34%) of Indigenous respondents feel other Australians hold that level of trust for them.

This perhaps highlights how more work is needed with non-Indigenous Australians in particular, to build levels of shared trust.

46 5

34 34

1213 13

2625

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



NT intervention










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Indigenous trust towards other Australians has increased again

11

There has been a solid increase again in the numbers of Indigenous Australians who hold fairly high/very high trust for otherAustralians, now nearly half (46%). However, a considerable gap is evident between communities, with only 19% of the general community believing Indigenous Australians hold such trust for them.

Again, this reflects the greater need for more work to be done in the general community to build a sense of shared trust.

12 12

15

39

46

12

911

20 19

0

10

20

30

40

50


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






NT intervention







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Both groups continue to believe they trust more than the other group does

12

Throughout the eight years since the first Barometer, both non-Indigenous Australians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians have more widely felt that they trust the other group, than the other group trusts them.

These ‘gaps’ in the perceptions of shared trust highlight a key ongoing misunderstanding between the communities.

34 34

39

46

2019

2625

0

10

20

30

40

50


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 forthemGeneral community respondents who feel they have fairly/very high trust for IndigenousAustralians






NT intervention






‘Gap’ in trust perception

‘Gap’ in trust perception


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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 only fairly important.

For Indigenous respondents, there is less notable ‘effect’ from any particular main source.

7

6

2

4

2

9

8

8

8

3

46

45

46

38

36

38

42

44

50

59

0 25 50 75 100

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

3

2

1

4

2

1

3

36

18

26

19

31

57

80

70

79

66

0 25 50 75 100

Other people around you

Parents and family

The media

My own personalexperiences with Aboriginaland Torres Strait Islander…

My main source of info isschool education or other

research

Comparisons of main source of information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and views of the importance of the relationship:

General community Indigenous respondents


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Education and media influence has increased since 2014

14

The influence of school education and other research in the general community, in terms of helping drive the view the relationship is very important, has increased since 2014.

Similarly, the influence of the media in both communities, as the main source of information leading to views the relationship is very important, has also increased. This is particularly evident among Indigenous respondents, which may reflect how mainstream media has largely supported the Constitutional Recognition campaign.

5

2

7

2

10

8

4

3

47

46

41

36

38

44

48

59

0 25 50 75 100

2014

2016

2014

2016

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

2

7

6

2

4

3

33

26

19

31

61

70

69

66

0 25 50 75 100

The media

My main source isSchool educationor other research

Comparisons of main source of information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and views of the importance of the relationship:



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

15

Misunderstandings of trust levels and reliance on the media or other people to know about Indigenous people remain unsurprising, given the general community continues to have 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 still highlights a key ‘gap’ in reconciliation progress.

32

67

53

28

16

68

33

47

72

84

0 25 50 75 100

Socialise with never/rarely Socialise with occassionally/frequently

General community

32

15

54

37

26

68

85

46

63

74

0 25 50 75 100

People of anothercultural heritage

People of Aboriginalor Torres Strait

Islander heritage

Peope of MiddleEastern heritage

People of Asianheritage

People of British orEuropean heritage

Indigenous respondents


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More Australians now socialise with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Australians

16

Despite continued low levels of ‘socialising’ contact with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, there has been a small yet encouraging increase in the general community among those who socialise occasionally or frequently with Indigenous people (33%, up from 30% in 2014).

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 2014

32

67

53

28

16

68

33

47

72

84

0 25 50 75 100

Another culturalheritage

Aboriginal or TorresStrait Islander heritage

Middle Easternheritage

Asian heritage

British or Europeanheritage

2016


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

17

More Indigenous people have experienced racial prejudice in the last 6 months, than the general community, with one in two 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.

3

14

18

97

86

82

0 25 50 75 100Yes No

17 83

37

46

63

54

0 25 50 75 100

Physical violence

Verbal abuse

Experienced at least1 form of racial

prejudice in past 6months



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More Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Australians have experienced recent prejudice, compared with 2014

18

More Indigenous people have experienced racial prejudice in the last 6 months, compared with the same period two years ago. Conversely, the prevalence of such prejudice experienced in the general community has remained stable.

This increased evidence of discrimination may reflect the political environment created since the election of the Coalition Government in late 2013, with its emphasis on border protection, austerity and efforts to water down the Racial Discrimination Act. The July 2016 election of One Nation senators also indicates these focus points are influencing attitudes across the Australian population.

16

18

84

82

0 25 50 75 100

2014

2016

Yes No

39 61

46 54

0 25 50 75 100

Experienced at least1 form of racial

prejudice in past 6months



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People who feel Australia’s past has been the cause of Indigenous disadvantages today also widely disagree they are responsible for them

19

Those people in the general community who agree that past racial policies (54%) and Australia’s colonial legacy (46%) are the causes of Indigenous disadvantages, also widely disagree Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are responsible for their own disadvantages (51% and 56% of them respectively).

This highlights how an understanding of the causes of Indigenous disadvantage mostly correlates with people feeling Indigenous Australian’s are not responsible for those disadvantages today.

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

General community

4

5

14

17

26

28

56

51

0 25 50 75 100

Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander Australians areresponsible for their own

disadvantages today?

Strongly agree Agree Neither agree or disagree Disagree/Strongly disagree

7

5

17

14

30

27

46

54

0 25 50 75 100

Australia's colonial legacy isthe cause of Indigenous

disadvantage today

Past racial policies are thecause of Indigenousdisadvantage today

Strongly disagree Disagree Neither agree or disagree Agree/Strongly agree


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People who disagree Australia’s past has been the cause of Indigenous disadvantages today also widely feel they are responsible for them

20

Those people in the general community who disagree that past racial policies (19%) and Australia’s colonial legacy (24%) are the causes of Indigenous disadvantages, also widely agree Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are responsible for their own disadvantages (63% of them respectively).

This highlights how a lack of understanding of the causes of Indigenous disadvantage mostly correlates with people feeling Indigenous Australian’s are responsible for those disadvantages today.


General community

24

19

30

27

33

38

14

16

0 25 50 75 100

Australia's colonial legacy isthe cause of Indigenous

disadvantage today

Past racial policies are thecause of Indigenousdisadvantage today

Strongly disagree/Disagree Neither agree or disagree Agree Strongly agree

63

63

29

29

5

5

2

3

0 25 50 75 100

Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander Australians areresponsible for their own

disadvantages today?

Strongly agree/Agree Neither agree or disagree Disagree Strongly disagree


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18-29 year olds

70+ yrs

40-49 yrs

50-59 yrs

60-69 yrs

30-39 yrsAll ages

0

10

20

30

40

50

40 50 60 70 80 90 100

% H

old

fairl

y/ve

ry h

igh

trus

t for

Indi

geno

us

peop

le

The relationship is fairly/very important

High importanceHold low trust for Indigenous people

Low importanceHold high trust for Indigenous people

Low importanceHold low trust for Indigenous people

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

21

While the majority of Australians view the relationship as important, 30-39 year olds in the general community are most likely also to hold higher trust for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Furthermore, 18-29 year olds are ahead of most age groups in terms of trust.

High importanceHold high trust for Indigenous people

General community


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18-29 year olds

70+ yrs

40-49 yrs

50-59 yrs

60-69 yrs

30-39 yrs

All ages

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

40 50 60 70 80 90 100

% H

old

fairl

y/ve

ry h

igh

trus

t for

non

-Indi

geno

us

peop

le


High importanceHold low trust for other Australians

Low importanceHold high trust for other Australians

Low importanceHold low trust for other Australians

The attitude among younger Indigenous Australians bodes well for the future

22

While the majority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians view the relationship as important, 18-39 year olds in the Indigenous community are most likely also to hold higher trust for non-Indigenous Australians.

High importanceHold high trust for other Australians


Australian Reconciliation Barometer 2016

23

Key trends by State in the general community


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NSW

Tasmania Queensland

WA

SA

VictoriaNational

NT

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100

% H

old

very

/fairl

y hi

gh tr

ust f

or In

dige

nous

A

ustr

alia

ns


High importance Low trust for

Indigenous Australians

Low importance Higher trust for Indigenous Australians

Low importance Low trust for Indigenous Australians

Despite high importance in the relationship, trust for Indigenous Australians is low in all States

24

High trust in Indigenous people is lacking across the general communities of all States, but particularly low in SA, NT and WA..

High importance Higher trust for Indigenous Australians

General community


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Northern Territorians are most likely to view the relationship as very important

25

Most people (89%) among the general community in NT feel the relationship is important to Australia as a nation, with nearly three out of four people saying it’s very important. Conversely, people in South Australia are least likely (42%) to view the relationship as very important.

It is noticeable, however, that NT is also where more people think the relationship is not important at all (8%), compared to other areas.

4

4

3

4

6

3

8

10

9

8

6

6

6

3

44

42

40

41

39

41

17

42

45

48

49

49

50

72

0 25 50 75 100

SA

WA

VIC

QLD

TAS

NSW

NT

Not important at all Fairly unimportant Fairly important Very important

Q. How important is the relationship between Indigenous people and other Australians for Australia as a nation? NOTE: ACT sample too small

General community

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


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Trust is lowest among Northern Territorians

26

High levels of trust between both groups are lowest in NT, with 31% of the general community there feeling there is very low trust for Indigenous Australians and 33% believing that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians have very low trust for other Australians. Conversely, NSW has the highest levels of shared trust.

3111

2213

161214

3319

2323

2218

21

46

50

49

56

46

49

44

46

45

48

52

42

51

43

5

17

9

14

15

14

13

5

18

14

12

16

14

14

13

19

13

16

20

20

24

10

15

10

11

16

14

17

4

3

7

1

4

5

5

6

4

6

1

4

3

4

0 25 50 75 100

NT

TAS

WA

SA

QLD

VIC

NSW

NT

TAS

WA

SA

QLD

VIC

NSW

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

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

General community

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

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


_____________________________

Trust is lowest among Capital city residents, especially in Perth

27

Levels of trust between both groups are lowest among Capital city residents, compared to their regional and rural neighbours. This is particularly evident in WA, with 75% of the Perth community feeling there is low trust for Indigenous Australians and 74% believing that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians have low trust for other Australians.

75

56

64

59

74

56

68

66

8

11

12

15

13

18

13

16

18

33

24

26

13

26

19

19

0 25 50 75 100

Capital cityresidents

Regional andrural residents







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


General community



National

National

WA

WA


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Trust is lowest among regional and rural residents in the Northern Territory

28

While levels of trust between both groups are lowest among Capital city residents, compared to their regional and rural neighbours, the reverse is evident in the NT. There, 80% of the NT regional community feel there is low trust for Indigenous Australians and 82% believe that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians have low trust for other Australians.

72

80

64

59

72

82

68

66

2

6

12

15

2

6

13

16

26

13

24

26

26

12

19

19

0 25 50 75 100









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


General community



National

National

NT

NT


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Queenslanders and Victorians are most likely to feel there is low prejudice between the groups

29

Levels of prejudice between non-Indigenous Australians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are perceived to be lowest in Queensland, Victoria and NSW.

Conversely, the general communities of Tasmania, WA, SA and NT mostly believe there are high levels of prejudice.

19

17

17

13

11

11

11

49

40

42

40

34

33

39

13

14

18

20

19

19

19

17

27

17

19

31

30

25

3

3

6

8

5

7

7

0 25 50 75 100

NT

SA

WA

TAS

VIC

QLD

NSW

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

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

General community

Level of prejudice between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous Australians?


_____________________________

Capital city residents are more likely to feel there is high prejudice between the groups

30

High levels of prejudice between non-Indigenous Australians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are most widely perceived among capital city residents, including in Queensland and NSW.

48

41

51

47

52

44

18

20

20

18

18

19

34

39

29

36

30

36

0 25 50 75 100







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


General community


National

NSW

QLD


_____________________________

Regional NT residents are most likely to feel there is high prejudice between the groups

31

High levels of prejudice between non-Indigenous Australians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are most widely perceived among capital city residents, especially in WA.

Conversely, the regional and rural communities of Tasmania and NT more widely believe there are high levels of prejudice, compared to their capital city neighbours.

61

71

48

55

62

46

16

11

29

16

15

28

23

18

23

29

22

26

0 25 50 75 100







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


General community


WA

TAS

NT


_____________________________

Most Northern Territorians feel they know about Indigenous history

32

77% of the general community in NT believe they have a high level of knowledge about the history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Conversely, Tasmanians are least likely to feel they have a high level of knowledge about the history of Indigenous people in Australia.

11

11

10

8

15

8

1

54

52

48

47

46

45

23

31

33

37

40

32

39

57

3

4

6

6

6

8

20

0 25 50 75 100

TAS

VIC

QLD

NSW

SA

WA

NT

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

Knowledge of the history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia:


_____________________________

There is widespread support in NSW for Indigenous history to be formally taught in schools

33

People in NSW are most likely to believe it is important for Indigenous history to be compulsory in school (82%).

It is notable that NT is where the general community is most divided on the importance of this, with 37% saying it’s very important but 36% saying its unimportant.

6

6

6

8

4

10

6

21

16

14

15

17

26

11

42

46

48

45

43

26

43

31

32

32

33

36

37

39

0 25 50 75 100

TAS

QLD

SA

WA

VIC

NT

NSW


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

General community

Important Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history becomes a compulsory part of the school curriculum?


_____________________________

More people in NT are strongly proud of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures

34

More people in the general community in the Northern Territory strongly agree they are proud of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures (26%), than in other States.

Conversely, more people in WA (13%) and SA (12%) disagree they are proud of Indigenous cultures, than in other States.

3

3

4

2

1

2

3

6

9

9

6

5

3

6

38

28

36

36

31

31

28

36

43

33

36

41

42

37

16

17

18

20

22

22

26

0 25 50 75 100

TAS

SA

WA

QLD

VIC

NSW

NT

Strongly disagree Disagree Neither agree nor disagree Agree Strongly agree

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

General community

Proud of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures?


_____________________________

West Australians widely agree Indigenous people are responsible for their disadvantages today

35

More people in the WA general community agree Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are responsible for their own disadvantages today, than in other States. There is also a high level of agreement in QLD (38%).

Conversely, people in the NT are most likely to strongly disagree (39%) that Indigenous people are responsible for their own disadvantages.


General community

17

9

8

11

8

6

10

26

23

22

27

20

21

18

37

40

37

33

36

34

30

14

19

25

19

23

26

3

7

9

10

10

13

13

39

0 25 50 75 100

WA

SA

TAS

QLD

NSW

VIC

NT

Strongly agree Agree Neither agree or disagree Disagree Strongly disagree

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are responsible for their own disadvantages today?


_____________________________

More people in the eastern States accept that Australia was owned by Indigenous people

36

The general communities of NSW, Victoria and Queensland most widely accept the fact that Australia was owned by Indigenous communities at the time of British colonisation.

Conversely, most people in Tasmania and the Northern Territory do not accept this as factual, particularly in the NT where 39% do not accept it at all.

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

16

39

16

14

18

12

11

37

14

30

33

26

29

29

47

47

54

54

56

59

60

0 25 50 75 100

TAS

NT

WA

SA

QLD

VIC

NSW

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

General community

Do we accept Australia was owned by Indigenous people at the time of colonisation?


_____________________________

More Northern Territorians strongly agree it is important for all Australians to learn more about past issues

37

The general community in NT mostly believe (54%) that it’s very important to learn about the past issues of European settlement and government policies experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This is notably higher than in other States.

Conversely, only 33% of people in Tasmania feel this way, with 23% saying it’s not important.

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

5

4

3

3

3

3

7

18

14

11

9

9

11

9

44

41

44

44

43

40

30

33

41

42

45

45

47

54

0 25 50 75 100

TAS

QLD

WA

VIC

NSW

SA

NT


Important for all Australians to learn more about past issues of European settlement and government policy?


_____________________________

Queenslanders are most likely to feel past issues should be forgiven

38

The general community in Queensland more widely believe “there should be forgiveness so we can now move on” (71%), compared to other States. Victoria has the largest percentage of people who feel “past wrongs must be rectified” (33%), while the NT has the largest percentage of people who believe “the wrongs of the past can never be forgiven” (20%).

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

General community

20

9

6

10

4

4

4

7

3

5

6

6

6

3

22

33

32

23

24

25

22

51

55

57

60

65

66

71

0 25 50 75 100

NT

VIC

NSW

SA

TAS

WA

QLD

The wrongs of the past can never be forgiven

I don't 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

Australian Reconciliation Barometer 2016

39

Full results comparing Indigenous-only perspectives with the general public

Race Relations

40

How do we see cultural diversity and how well do we treat each other?


_____________________________

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

41

Australians are most likely to socialise with people of British or European cultural heritage 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 (8%) than with any other major cultural group.

7

24

19

7

4

25

43

35

20

12

45

24

33

37

32

23

8

14

35

51

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

8

4

21

14

11

24

12

33

24

16

46

34

32

42

34

22

51

14

21

39

0 25 50 75 100

People of anothercultural heritage

People of Aboriginalor Torres Strait

Islander heritage

Peope of MiddleEastern heritage

People of Asianheritage

People of British orEuropean heritage



_____________________________

There has been little change in the percentage of Australians who frequently socialise with Indigenous people

42

There has been little change in the percentage of mainstream Australians who socialise with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, either frequently (8%, compared with 7% in 2014) or occasionally.

Conversely, Indigenous Australians are now more likely to socialise frequently with their own people (51%) than in 2014 (44%).

25

24

45

43

23

24

7

8

0 25 50 75 100

2014

2016

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

4

4

14

12

38

34

44

51

0 25 50 75 100

Socialise with peopleof Aboriginal or Torres

Strait Islanderheritage?



_____________________________

We mostly have a good relationship with medical staff and local shops

43

The general community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people largely feel they have good relationships with medical staff, local shop owners and police.

However, Indigenous respondents are much more likely to have a poor relationship with police (16%) than the general community (6%).

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

2

1

1

4

2

2

24

10

9

41

52

46

30

35

42

0 25 50 75 100

Very poor relationship Fairly poor relationship Don't know Fairly good relationship Very good relationship


8

2

2

8

2

3

20

12

6

37

52

50

28

31

40

0 25 50 75 100

Police

Local shopowners and staff

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 real estate agents

44

The general community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people largely feel they have good relationships with employers and school staff. However, Indigenous Australians are more likely to have a poor relationship with real estate agents (16%), than non-Indigenous Australians (11%).

Indigenous people are also more likely to have a poor relationship with school staff (7%) than the general community (4%).


3

1

1

8

3

4

40

33

27

37

36

40

12

27

28

0 25 50 75 100

Very poor relationship Fairly poor relationship Don't know Fairly good relationship Very good relationship

General community

6

3

3

10

4

4

40

28

28

28

36

36

16

29

29

0 25 50 75 100

Real estate agents

School teachersand principals

Employers




_____________________________

4

4

2

14

12

9

42

20

22

30

38

42

11

25

25

0 25 50 75 100

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

Indigenous relationships have mostly improved with school staff, police and estate agents

45

More Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people now feel they have very good relationships with teachers and principals, police and estate agents, compared with 2014.

Similarly, Indigenous respondents are less likely now to have a poor relationship with education staff, than in 2014.


2014 Indigenous respondents 2016

6

8

3

10

8

4

40

20

28

28

37

36

16

28

29

0 25 50 75 100

Real estateagents

Police

Schoolteachers and

principals



_____________________________

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

46

The general community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people largely feel there is a shared trust with medical staff, police and teachers and principals.

However, 23% of Indigenous respondents feel there is low trust with police, compared with only 10% of the general community. Similarly, 13% see low trust with school staff, compared with 5% in the general community.

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

1

3

1

4

7

2

25

16

9

47

46

46

23

28

42

0 25 50 75 100

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

General community

5

12

2

8

11

3

21

17

10

44

34

47

23

26

37

0 25 50 75 100

School teachersand principals

Police

Doctors, nurses,medical staff etc

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



_____________________________

We are most likely to feel there is a low level of trust with estate agents

47

The general community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people largely feel there is high trust shared with shop owners and staff and employers.

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


11

2

1

27

11

4

35

31

18

22

42

60

5

14

17

0 25 50 75 100

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

General community

12

3

2

18

8

6

35

29

20

25

39

51

10

21

21

0 25 50 75 100

Real estateagents

Employers





_____________________________

2

1

8

5

3

7

29

20

15

46

53

42

18

23

28

0 25 50 75 100

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

Indigenous trust has mostly deteriorated for police, local shops and employers

48

More Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people now feel there is low trust shared with employers, shop owners and staff and police, compared with 2014.

Indigenous respondents are more likely to feel there is a low level of trust between them and police (23%), local shops (8%) and employers (11%), than in 2014 (15%, 4% and 7% respectively).


2014

3

2

12

8

6

11

29

20

17

39

51

34

21

21

26

0 25 50 75 100

Employers


Police


Indigenous respondents 2016


_____________________________

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

49

Most people among the general community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities continue to feel the relationship is important to Australia as a nation. However, Indigenous respondents (76%) remain much more likely than the general community (48%) to view the relationship as very important.

It is notable that the general community sentiment has returned to a level closer to 2008, while the percentage of Indigenouspeople who consider the relationship “very important” remains much lower than 2008.

1

5

4

5

4

8

9

10

9

7

40

44

41

43

41

51

43

46

43

48

0 25 50 75 100


0

0

0

1

2

1

2

3

1

6

9

11

22

21

94

90

87

73

76

0 25 50 75 100

2008

2010

2012

2014

2016

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 remains steady from 2014

50

The marked rise in trust between both groups in 2014 has remained steady, with 24% of the general community feeling they trust Indigenous Australians (in line with 26% in 2014) and 46% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander respondents feeling they have trust for other Australians (up from 39% in 2014).

However, the ‘gap’ in perceptions of shared trust also continues. For example, while only 4% of the general community think that Indigenous Australians have very high trust for them, 15% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people feel they have very high trust for other Australians.

28

29

25

15

14

33

31

25

20

21

54

52

53

48

48

48

50

53

46

46

6

6

8

12

13

8

10

11

13

14

11

11

11

21

20

10

7

9

16

15

1

2

2

5

4

2

2

2

4

4

0 25 50 75 100Very low Fairly low Don't know Fairly high Very high

41

45

38

23

23

28

31

29

14

13

50

46

55

36

35

58

54

55

41

33

5

3

3

7

7

2

2

1

5

8

4

6

5

21

20

11

11

13

27

31

13

15

1

1

2

12

15

0 25 50 75 100

2008

2010

2012

2014

2016

2008

2010

2012

2014

2016






_____________________________

We continue to be more likely to see high prejudice between ourselves

51

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to be more likely to feel there is high prejudice between themselves and non-Indigenous Australians (60%), than the general community (49%). For non-Indigenous Australians, this is slightly higher than in 2014 (45%).

Both groups also widely continue to see low levels of trust between non-Indigenous Australians and new immigrants.


10

12

35

37

19

19

30

27

6

6

0 25 50 75 100

2014

2016

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


22

20

40

40

11

17

23

17

4

6

0 25 50 75 100

Prejudice between non-Indigenous Australians andAboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander Australians

10

12

36

37

20

19

30

26

5

6

0 25 50 75 100

2014

2016

24

20

34

38

13

19

22

16

7

7

0 25 50 75 100

Between Non-IndigenousAustralians and new

Immigrants from overseas


_____________________________

Perceptions of prejudice 2008-12

52

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

However, while the general community mostly felt there were ‘fairly’ high levels of prejudice for Indigenous people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander respondents mostly believed that prejudice towards Indigenous people from other Australians was ‘very’ high.

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:


_____________________________

Few people believe non-Indigenous Australians are superior

53

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to be more likely to disagree strongly (54%) that non-Indigenous Australians are superior, than the general community (40%).

However, it is notable that Indigenous respondents who agree with this sentiment (17%, in line with 2014) also continues to be higher than in the general community. This may reflect issues of low self esteem or perceptions of ‘material’ superiority among Indigenous respondents.

2

3

2

2

2

9

10

8

6

6

26

27

27

24

25

33

30

29

32

26

30

30

34

35

40

0 25 50 75 100

Strongly agree Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Strongly disagree

7

7

4

5

8

7

5

5

14

9

6

10

9

20

14

12

14

11

14

15

68

64

70

47

54

0 25 50 75 100

2008

2010

2012

2014

2016

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 remain more likely to worry about other cultures

54

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are more likely to worry about causing offence to people from another culture (36%), or to worry that other cultures are harmful to their own (27%), or find other cultures difficult to understand (27%), than the general community.

However, it is notable that all these levels of agreement among Indigenous respondents are lower than in 2014.

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

3

3

3

3

3

5

18

15

12

13

25

26

29

29

26

24

28

26

37

37

33

30

30

30

14

16

26

30

15

13

0 25 50 75 100

2014

2016

2014

2016

2014

2016


General community

10

7

10

10

12

8

23

20

23

17

28

28

27

31

28

26

28

26

24

27

22

24

20

24

15

15

18

22

11

14

0 25 50 75 100

I find it difficult to understand thecustoms and ways of other

races/cultures

Other races/cultures are harmful tomine

I worry about causing offence when Imeet people from other races/cultures



_____________________________

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

55

The general community remain likely to cite the media (34%) or other secondary sources (such as school or other research, 16%) 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.

37

38

35

36

34

35

35

36

36

38

15

16

17

15

16

3

3

4

3

3

9

9

8

10

9

0 25 50 75 100

The mediaYour own personal experiences with Indigenous peopleSchool education or other researchParents and familyOther people around you

2

2

10

10

62

57

57

49

50

4

5

2

7

6

28

32

37

28

27

4

4

4

6

7

0 25 50 75 100

2008

2010

2012

2014

2016

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



_____________________________

Indigenous people widely feel the media usually portrays them negatively

56

While the general community is divided over whether the media usually portrays Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a negative or balanced way, Indigenous respondents mostly see the media as negative towards them (57%).

Similarly, Indigenous people are more likely to believe the media usually portrays non-Indigenous Australians positively (39%), than the general community (22%).

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

48

45

20

9

10

22

43

45

58

0 25 50 75 100

Usually negative Usually positive Balanced

General community

52 17 31

57

12

10

39

33

49

0 25 50 75 100

Media portrayal of newimmigrants from overseas

Media portrayal ofAboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander Australians

Media portrayal of non-Indigenous Australians



_____________________________

Indigenous people have become more sceptical about media portrayal

57

The general community remains divided over whether the media usually portrays Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a negative or balanced way, in line with 2014.

However, Indigenous people are now more likely to believe the media usually portrays them negatively (57%), than did so in 2014 (45%).

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

44

45

7

10

49

45

0 25 50 75 100

2014

2016

Usually negative Usually positive Balanced


45

57

10

10

45

33

0 25 50 75 100

Media portrayalof Aboriginal and

Torres StraitIslander

Australians


_____________________________

We still mostly agree we are better off with many cultural groups

58

The general community continues to mostly agree that Australia is better off for having many cultural groups (66%), as do Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (56%). This remains steady from 2014 (64% and 58% respectively).

4

5

6

3

4

9

10

10

10

9

20

23

23

23

21

43

42

43

40

41

25

20

19

24

25

0 25 50 75 100


1

6

3

9

6

7

9

6

9

10

22

19

25

24

28

32

34

36

36

33

37

33

30

22

23

0 25 50 75 100

2008

2010

2012

2014

2016

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


Australia is better off because we have many different cultures?


_____________________________

More Australians now believe Australia is a racist country

59

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are still more likely to agree Australia is a racist country (57%), than the general community (39%), and are much more likely to strongly agree (19%, compared to 6%). It is notable that levels of agreement with this statement have increased since 2014, in both communities .

However, the vast majority of both communities also continue to believe Australians can become united.


3

3

11

10

21

18

44

45

21

23

0 25 50 75 100

2014

2016


General community

4

5

7

9

20

20

39

37

30

29

0 25 50 75 100

I believe it is possiblefor all Australians to

become united


6

6

29

33

33

29

24

23

8

9

0 25 50 75 100

2014

2016


17

19

31

38

29

23

17

13

6

7

0 25 50 75 100

Australia is a racistcountry


_____________________________

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

60

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are nearly 3 times more likely to have experienced verbal abuse in the past 6 months (37%), than the general community (14%), and are 6 times more likely to have experienced other forms of prejudice, on the basis of their race.

5

2

2

3

3

14

95

98

98

97

97

86

0 25 50 75 100Yes 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

14 86

12

16

17

17

37

88

84

83

83

63

0 25 50 75 100

Other

Refused service in ashop

Refused entry to avenue

Prevented from rentingor buying a property

Physical violence

Verbal abuse



_____________________________

Indigenous experiences of racial prejudice have increased since 2014

61

More Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have experienced verbal abuse in the past 6 months (37%), than in 2014 (31%).

Worryingly, there have also been increases in other forms of race-based prejudice, in the past 2 years.

11

12

14

31

89

88

86

69

0 25 50 75 100Yes No

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

2014

16

17

17

37

84

83

83

63

0 25 50 75 100



Physical violence

Verbal abuse



_____________________________

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

62

49% 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 (24%), and are much more likely to have witnessed other forms of prejudice, on the basis of their race.

Most notably, Indigenous respondents are 3 times more likely to have witnessed physical violence (32%).

5

4

5

6

10

24

95

96

95

94

90

76

0 25 50 75 100Yes 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

13 87

26

24

29

32

49

74

76

71

68

51

0 25 50 75 100

Other




Physical violence

Verbal abuse



_____________________________

Indigenous witness of racial prejudice has increased since 2014

63

49% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have witnessed verbal abuse of another person in the past 6 months, up from 2014 (42%).

Worryingly, they are also much more likely to have witnessed other forms of race-based prejudice, since 2014. Most notably, more Indigenous respondents have witnessed physical violence (32%), than 2 years ago.

10

17

19

22

23

42

90

83

81

78

77

58

0 25 50 75 100Yes 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?

2014

13

26

24

29

32

49

87

74

76

71

68

51

0 25 50 75 100

Other




Physical violence

Verbal abuse



_____________________________

Indigenous Australians are much more likely to experience racial discrimination

64

18% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have felt racially discriminated against by a real estate agent in the past 12 months, 6 times as many as the general community (3%).

Indigenous Australians are also twice as likely to have experienced racial discrimination from health workers and school staff, than the general community.

1

1

2

2

2

1

4

3

3

93

94

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 8 15 69

11

8

7

7

14

10

68

76

0 25 50 75 100

School teachersand/or principals

Real estateagents

Doctors, nurses,and/or medical

staff etc



_____________________________

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

65

29% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have felt racially discriminated against by police in the past 12 months,15 times as many as the general community (2%).

Similarly, more Indigenous respondents have experienced racial discrimination by a local shop owner and/or staff (20%) and employers (18%) in the past year, compared to the general community.

3

2

1

2

2

1

6

4

4

89

91

93

0 25 50 75 100



General community

8 10 14 68

10

15

10

14

12

15

68

56

0 25 50 75 100

Employers

Local shopowners and/or

staff

Police



_____________________________

Indigenous experience of racial discrimination has increased since 2014

66

Indigenous experience of racial discrimination has increased markedly in some contexts: 29% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have felt racially discriminated against by police in the past 12 months, nearly twice as many as in 2014 (16%).

Similarly, more Indigenous respondents have experienced racial discrimination in the past year by a local shop owner and/or staff (20%) and employers (18%), compared with 2 years ago (14% and 13% respectively).

7

6

9

6

8

7

12

9

17

75

76

68

0 25 50 75 100



2014

8

10

15

10

10

14

14

12

15

68

68

56

0 25 50 75 100

Employers

Local shopowners and/or

staff

Police


Unity

67

How much do we all value Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures?


_____________________________

Australians’ knowledge of Indigenous history and cultures has increased slightly since 2014

68

70% of the general community and 80% 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 knowledgeabout the history of their people (76%) or their cultures (74%), than the general community (42% and 33% respectively). This can be seen to highlight how, for Indigenous respondents, Indigenous history is central to Australian history overall.

However, it is notable that higher knowledge levels have increased slightly among the general community, since 2014.

11

12

9

10

3

4

59

55

52

48

27

26

26

29

33

37

57

56

4

4

6

5

13

14

0 25 50 75 100

2014

2016

2014

2016

2014

2016

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


General community

3

5

4

5

2

4

31

21

23

19

21

15

38

41

43

41

48

45

27

33

30

35

28

35

0 25 50 75 100

Knowledge aboutAboriginal and Torres

Strait Islandercultures

Knowledge about thehistory of Aboriginal

and Torres StraitIslander people in

Australia

Knowledge about thehistory of Australia



_____________________________

Levels of knowledge about Indigenous history and culture 2008-2012

69

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


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

Knowledge level about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures:



_____________________________

Knowing and learning about Indigenous history and cultures has increased in importance since 2014

70

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are twice as likely to believe it is very important for all Australians to learnabout the history of Indigenous people (70%) or their cultures (65%) and that Indigenous history should be compulsory in school (69%), compared to the general community (37% , 34% and 35% respectively).

However, it is encouraging that there has been an increase in these sentiments in both communities since 2014.

64

53

21

1513

1211

45

4950

5048

3939

3134

3337

5455

0 25 50 75 100

20142016

20142016

20142016


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

12

23

1

64

52

43

3630

3225

3124

5765

6270

6571

0 25 50 75 100

Importance of knowing aboutIndigenous cultures

Importance of knowing about thehistory of Indigenous people

Importance of knowing about thehistory of Australia


8

6

15

14

46

45

31

35

0 25 50 75 100

2014

2016

3

2

5

3

30

27

62

69

0 25 50 75 100

Important Indigenous history isa compulsory part of the school

curriculum?


_____________________________

Perceptions of importance of Indigenous history and culture 2008-2012

71

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 100Not 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:



_____________________________

More Australians agree Indigenous people hold a unique and important place in the national identity

72

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to be more likely to strongly agree (66%) that their cultures are important for Australia’s national identity, compared to the general community (31%). Similarly, twice as many Indigenous respondents strongly agree that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people hold a unique place as the first Australians.

However, there has been an encouraging increase in both sentiments in the general community, since 2014.

2

3

3

3

2

7

7

8

5

4

20

20

18

20

18

46

49

48

46

46

25

21

23

26

31

0 25 50 75 100


2

2

2

5

10

5

7

11

11

28

27

92

87

83

59

66

0 25 50 75 100

2008

2010

2012

2014

2016

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

2

4

4

21

20

40

39

31

34

0 25 50 75 100

2014

2016

2

2

2 9

7

23

19

64

72

0 25 50 75 100

Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander people hold a

unique place as the firstAustralians?


_____________________________

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

73

More people in the general community now strongly agree they are proud of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures (21%), than in 2014 (17%).

Similarly, more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people strongly agree they are proud of their cultures (62%), than 2 years ago.

2

5

5

4

2

8

8

9

6

5

41

37

36

34

33

32

37

35

40

39

17

13

16

17

21

0 25 50 75 100


1

1

1

1

2

2

14

7

7

11

8

34

28

92

86

89

51

62

0 25 50 75 100

2008

2010

2012

2014

2016



Proud of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures?


_____________________________

Most Australians continue to be proud of our multiculturalism

74

The general community are more likely to agree they are proud of Australia’s multiculturalism (69%) or British and European cultures (64%) than they are of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures (60%).

Conversely, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are much more likely to agree they are proud of their cultures (90%), compared to Australia’s multiculturalism (66%) and British/European cultures (45%).

1

2

3

3

5

6

7

7

30

29

23

21

44

43

44

42

20

21

23

27

0 25 50 75 100


5

8

6

6

8

11

5

6

37

35

23

23

32

29

31

40

18

16

35

26

0 25 50 75 100

2014

2016

2014

2016



Proud of our multiculturalism?

Proud of our British/European cultures?


_____________________________

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

75

46% 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 49% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

However, while the general community sentiment has remained stable since 2012, Indigenous respondents remain less sure, with the majority thinking it has made things worse or no different since 2014.

4

5

3

4

5

6

4

4

50

43

44

46

35

41

41

38

7

6

8

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

7

2

4

6

3

37

34

38

41

47

48

34

33

11

13

17

16

0 25 50 75 100

2010

2012

2014

2016

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:


_____________________________

More Australians would like to do something to improve reconciliation

76

There has been an increase in both communities since 2014 in the number of people who want to help improve reconciliation, up 9% in the general community and 2% among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

However, both groups are still more likely to want to help than they are to know exactly what they can do.

It is notable that both groups are also still more likely to strongly agree the Federal Government should do something to help improve reconciliation, compared to businesses.


5

7

4

4

25

26

8

8

47

41

44

37

20

22

36

39

4

4

8

13

0 25 50 75 100

2014

2016

2014

2016


General community

3

4

3

3

11

10

3

2

39

37

26

25

34

32

46

41

13

17

22

29

0 25 50 75 100

I know what I cando to helpimprove

reconciliation

I would like to dosomething tohelp improvereconciliation


65

44

1111

87

3633

2525

3638

4341

1113

1923

0 25 50 75 100

2014

2016

2014

2016

32

22

44

23

2520

1712

3844

3637

2930

4346

0 25 50 75 100

Businesses should putmeasures in place to help

improve reconciliation

The Federal Governmentshould put measures in placeto help improve reconciliation


_____________________________

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

77

Both the general community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to 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.

However, as in 2014, agreement with these potential cultural icons is more widespread in the Indigenous community.

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?


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

47

55

61

66

75

52

61

66

68

76

0 25 50 75 100

Having Welcome to Country addresses atmajor sporting events (e.g. Melbourne Cup,

International matches, etc)

Making Mabo Day (June 3) a day of nationalsignificance

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

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

Acknowledgement of the TraditionalCustodians of the land at Australian

Citizenship ceremonies

Official ANZAC Day ceremonies to honourAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander AND

non-Indigenous soldiers

% Yes

20162014

71

75

76

83

84

76

82

83

84

86

0 25 50 75 100% Yes


_____________________________

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

78

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 (45%) and the community sector (32%) need to do a lot more, than the general community (25% and 13% respectively). Indigenous people are also more likely to believe businesses 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

15

19

16

2

1

5

2

5

2

2

2

23

27

27

33

33

34

30

33

25

21

17

13

0 25 50 75 100Don'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

8

11

9

1

2

2

1

2

2

1

1

13

34

17

25

33

27

34

33

45

27

35

32

0 25 50 75 100

Governmentdepartments

Aboriginal andTorres Strait

Islanderorganisations

Private sectorbusinesses

Community sectororganisations

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



_____________________________

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 100Don't know Should do nothing Should do less Doing as much as they can Need to do more Need to do a lot more

More Indigenous Australians think a lot more needs to be done to reduce prejudice

79

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people more widely think that various organisations need to do a lot more to reduce problems of prejudice in Australia, than in 2014.

In particular, Indigenous respondents more widely believe Government (45%), businesses (35%) and the community sector (32%) need to do a lot more, than 2 years ago (42%, 25% and 23% respectively).


2014

6

8

11

9

1

2

2

1

2

2

1

1

13

34

17

25

33

27

34

33

45

27

35

32

0 25 50 75 100






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



_____________________________

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

80

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 people, than the general community.

In particular, Indigenous respondents more widely believe Government (46%) and the community sector (31%) need to do a lot more, than the general community (24% and 13% respectively). Indigenous people are also more likely to believe businesses 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?

14

17

20

18

2

1

4

2

4

2

2

2

23

25

25

29

33

35

33

34

24

20

16

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

7

11

10

1

2

2

2

2

1

1

11

32

19

23

33

32

36

35

46

24

31

31

0 25 50 75 100






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



_____________________________

More Indigenous Australians think a lot more needs to be done for a stronger relationship

81

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people more widely think that various organisations need to do a lot more to create stronger relationships in Australia, than in 2014.

In particular, Indigenous respondents more widely believe Government (46%) and the community sector (31%) need to do a lot more, than 2 years ago (42% and 22% respectively).


2014

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


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


6

7

11

10

1

2

2

2

2

1

1

11

32

19

23

33

32

36

35

46

24

31

31

0 25 50 75 100






Material Equity and Cultural Security

82

How do we feel about our living standards and is enough being done to close the gap?


_____________________________

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

83

Racial/cultural differences are most widely viewed as the biggest cause of divisions in our society, by both the general community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This is in line with 2014.

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

6

9

10

12

24

39

0 25 50

Differences in health

Political differences

Differences in education

Differences in religion

Differences in income andwealth

Differences in racial/culturalbackground

2

5

11

19

24

39

3

4

12

17

27

37

0 25 50

20162014


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


_____________________________

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

84

65% of the general community consider their own living conditions to be comfortable, compared with 54% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This is in line with 2014.

However, while only 15% of the general public consider their own living conditions to be worse than the majority of people in Australia, 27% of Indigenous respondents feel that way.

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

1

3

3

29

31

52

48

16

17

0 25 50 75 100

2014

2016

Very poor Poor Just getting by Comfortable Very comfortable

General community

2

2

13

13

47

45

29

30

9

10

0 25 50 75 100

2014

2016

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


4

3

4

6

40

38

34

34

18

20

0 25 50 75 100

Own livingconditions

8

8

20

19

38

39

18

21

16

13

0 25 50 75 100

Own livingconditions

compared tomajority inAustralia


_____________________________

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

85

Both the general community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people largely think their prospects for next year will stay the same. However, more Indigenous respondents now think their conditions will improve, in terms of home life, financial situation and working situation, compared to 2014.

This perhaps highlights how for many people in the Indigenous community, there is more room for things to get better than they are currently, but also a growing optimism they will.

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

11

10

22

22

7

7

70

69

54

54

72

73

19

20

24

24

22

20

0 25 50 75 100

2014

2016

2014

2016

2014

2016

Get worse Stay the same Improve

General community

16

13

27

21

13

11

58

52

44

43

58

55

26

35

29

36

29

34

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

86

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people continue to be more likely to feel that employers in Australia do not follow equal opportunity laws and practices (30%), compared with the general community (26%). Similarly, Indigenous respondents more widely disagree (48%) that the education system prepares children well for employment, than the general community (42%).

However, it is notable that the level of difference between the two communities has narrowed since 2014.


12

13

7

7

27

29

17

19

29

28

35

33

28

26

35

34

4

4

6

7

0 25 50 75 100

2014

2016

2014

2016


General community

18

16

9

11

27

32

25

19

28

26

33

35

18

20

23

25

9

6

9

10

0 25 50 75 100

The Australian educationsystem prepares children

well to find a job

Employers in Australiafollow the Equal Opportunity

laws



_____________________________

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

87

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are still 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 (44%) and the business sector (34%) need to do a lot more, than the general community (27% and 17% respectively).

However, Indigenous people are also more likely to believe their own organisations are doing as much as they can (37%).

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

15

20

17

1

1

4

1

3

1

2

2

23

25

26

31

33

37

32

34

27

21

17

14

0 25 50 75 100


General community

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

5

5

9

8

1

1

2

1

1

1

3

1

16

37

18

27

34

34

35

36

44

22

34

27

0 25 50 75 100


Aboriginal and TorresStrait Islanderorganisations





_____________________________

6

10

2

4

15

19

36

38

41

29

0 25 50 75 100


More Indigenous Australians want Government and Businesses to do more in areas of education

88

More Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people now feel business and government organisations need to do a lot more in areas of education, to help close the gap, compared to 2014.

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?

2014

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

5

9

1

2

1

3

16

18

34

35

44

34

0 25 50 75 100





_____________________________

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

89

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are still more likely to think that various organisations need to do more in areas of health, to help close the gap, than the general community. In particular, Indigenous respondents more widely believe government (46%) and the business sector (35%) need to do a lot more, than the general community (30% and 17% respectively).

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 health?

12

15

20

17

1

1

4

1

3

2

2

2

24

24

29

31

30

33

27

32

30

25

17

17

0 25 50 75 100


General community

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

5

5

10

8

0

1

1

2

2

1

3

1

14

39

21

28

32

26

31

32

46

28

35

29

0 25 50 75 100








_____________________________

5

10

1

2

2

1

29

20

38

37

26

30

0 25 50 75 100


More Indigenous Australians want Businesses to do more in areas of health

90

More Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people now feel that business organisations need to do a lot more in areas of health, to help close the gap, than in 2014.

Conversely, more Indigenous people also now believe their own organisations are doing as much as they can (39%), compared to 2014 (29%).

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 health?

2014

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

5

10

1

1

1

3

39

21

26

31

28

35

0 25 50 75 100






_____________________________

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

91

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are still more likely to think that various organisations need to do more in areas of employment, to help close the gap, than the general community. In particular, Indigenous respondents more widely believe government (34%) and the business sector (28%) need to do a lot more, than the general community (21% and 18% respectively).

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 employment?

11

14

13

14

2

2

1

1

4

3

3

2

28

28

30

36

35

35

36

34

21

18

18

13

0 25 50 75 100


General community

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

4

7

5

6

1

1

1

1

3

2

3

2

18

20

42

29

39

42

33

43

34

28

17

19

0 25 50 75 100








_____________________________

4 22 33 34 25

0 25 50 75 100


More Indigenous Australians believe their own organisations are doing as much as they can in areas of employment

92

More Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people now believe their own organisations are doing as much as they can in areas of employment, to help close the gap (42%), compared to 2014 (33%).

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 employment?

2014

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

5 13 42 33 17

0 25 50 75 100





_____________________________

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

93

The general community continue to be more likely to believe they can be true to their own culture or personal beliefs in various contexts, than Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. In particular, Indigenous respondents more widely feel they can never or only sometimes be themselves in their interactions with law and order officials (53%), than the general public (31%). These levels have changed little since 2014, in both communities.

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

8

8

5

8

29

27

28

23

63

64

66

68

0 25 50 75 100

No, never Only sometimes Yes, always

General community

13

10

8

16

41

38

39

37

46

52

53

47

0 25 50 75 100

In my interactionswith Government

departments

At work

In the generalcommunity

In my interactionswith Police or the

Courts

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 with law officials

94

Both the general community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are now likely to believe they always have the right to raise their issues in various contexts.

However, Indigenous respondents remain more likely to feel they never or only sometimes have this right in their interactionswith law and order officials (51%), than the general public (47%).

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

8

11

10

12

41

37

36

35

51

51

53

53

0 25 50 75 100


General community

11

12

12

15

38

34

36

36

51

54

52

49

0 25 50 75 100


At work


departments


Courts

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

95

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 in the general community (62%) and in their interactions with government (63%), than the general public (57% and 58% respectively).

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

13

10

16

13

45

47

41

42

41

42

42

45

0 25 50 75 100No, never Only sometimes Yes, always

General community

15

13

19

14

48

49

41

41

36

38

40

44

0 25 50 75 100


departments



Courts

At work

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



_____________________________

14

8

11

10

45

44

39

44

41

47

49

46

0 25 50 75 100


More Indigenous Australians now feel empowered at work

96

More Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people now feel they can never be true to their culture or beliefs in their interactions with law officials (16%), than in 2014 (10%).

However, more Indigenous respondents do now feel they have the right to raise their issues at work (54%) and in the general community (51%), than in 2014. Similarly, more Indigenous people also see they have the opportunity to raise their issues at work (44%), compared to 2014.

2014

14

11

12

16

41

38

34

37

44

51

54

47

0 25 50 75 100

At work


At work


Courts


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

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

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

Historical Acceptance

97

How much do we accept the wrongs of the past?


_____________________________

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

98

While the general community remain divided on Indigenous responsibility for disadvantage, more people in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities now disagree Indigenous people are responsible for their own disadvantages today, than in 2014. However, both groups now more widely agree that many Indigenous people are disadvantaged today because of past racial policies and Australia’s colonial legacy.

Somewhat paradoxically, this may highlight how some Australians believe Indigenous people should take the initiative regarding their current disadvantages, despite not being responsible for causing them.

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

10

9

24

23

36

36

20

21

10

11

0 25 50 75 100

2014

2016

Strongly agree Agree Neither agree or disagree Disagree Strongly disagree

General community

10

7

15

17

30

25

22

22

23

29

0 25 50 75 100

Aboriginal and TorresStrait IslanderAustralians are

responsible for theirown disadvantages

today?


7

7

6

5

14

17

12

14

35

30

30

27

32

33

38

38

11

14

14

16

0 25 50 75 100

2014

2016

2014

2016

Strongly disagree Disagree Neither agree or disagree Agree Strongly agree

7

5

5

4

7

6

7

3

26

24

21

19

37

33

37

39

24

32

30

34

0 25 50 75 100

Australia's coloniallegacy

Past racial policies

Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are disadvantaged today because of…?


_____________________________

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

99

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 lack of respect (41%), compared to just 19% 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

9

12

15

11

16

26

22

25

21

38

37

38

31

19

21

21

23

0 25 50 75 100


General community

2

3

2

3

3

5

4

7

19

21

17

19

35

34

39

31

41

38

39

40

0 25 50 75 100

Lack of respect(for Aboriginal

and Torres StraitIslander people)

Poor education

Discrimination

Alcohol andsubstance 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.)

100

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 low employment for their people, and poor health (35%), compared to just 18% and 19% respectively of the general public.


7

6

5

6

6

15

17

14

15

14

28

26

26

23

25

35

34

38

38

36

16

16

17

18

19

0 25 50 75 100


General community

3

1

3

2

2

9

5

3

4

5

27

22

21

17

19

35

35

37

42

39

26

37

37

36

35

0 25 50 75 100

Lack of personal responsibility(among Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander people)

Inadequate living conditions

Lack of confidence and low selfesteem of Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander people

Low employment

Poor health




_____________________________

3

5

4

4

13

12

10

12

30

25

28

29

38

41

41

39

15

17

17

15

0 25 50 75 100


More of us now agree that past policies have been a cause of some Indigenous disadvantages

101

More people in the general community now agree strongly that past government policies are responsible for many forms of disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people today, than in 2014.

In particular, more Australians now strongly agree past policies have been a cause of lack of respect, discrimination, poor education and low employment for Indigenous people, than two years ago.


6

6

4

5

15

15

11

12

23

22

25

26

38

37

38

38

18

21

21

19

0 25 50 75 100

Low employment

Poor education

Discrimination

Lack of respect(for Aboriginal and

Torres StraitIslander people)



2016


_____________________________

We mostly accept key facts about past injustices

102

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 continues to be greatest disagreement between the groups regarding the fact that Australia was owned by Indigenous communities at the time of British colonisation, with 71% of Indigenous respondents seeing this as factual, compared to 57% of the general public.


14

9

11

9

12

29

33

25

24

21

57

58

64

67

68

0 25 50 75 100


General community

9

13

17

15

18

20

23

18

21

17

71

63

65

64

65

0 25 50 75 100

Australia was owned by Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander communities at the

time of colonisation in 1770

Government policy in the 1900s dictatedwhere Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Australians could live and be employed

Aboriginal and Torres Strait IslanderAustralians were subject to mass killings,

incarceration, forced removal from land andrestricted movement throughout the 1800s

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peopledid not have full voting rights throughout

Australia until the 1960s

Government policy enabled Aboriginalchildren to be removed from their families

without permission until the 1970s

Do we accept the following as facts?



_____________________________

More of us now accept key facts about past injustices

103

More people in the general community now accept a number of key facts about Australia’s past institutional prejudices against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Since 2014, there has been a uniform increase of between 3-5% for acceptance of each statement by the general public.


16

10

14

11

14

31

35

28

25

21

53

55

59

64

65

0 25 50 75 100



Do we accept the following as facts?

2016

14

9

11

9

12

29

33

25

24

21

57

58

64

67

68

0 25 50 75 100

Australia was owned by Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander communities at the

time of colonisation in 1770

Government policy in the 1900s dictatedwhere Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Australians could live and be employed

Aboriginal and Torres Strait IslanderAustralians were subject to mass killings,

incarceration, forced removal from land andrestricted movement throughout the 1800s

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peopledid not have full voting rights throughout

Australia until the 1960s

Government policy enabled Aboriginalchildren to be removed from their families

without permission until the 1970s


_____________________________

More of us now agree it is important for all Australians to learn more about past issues

104

The general community continue to be far less likely to believe (43%) that it’s very important to learn about the past issuesof European settlement and government policies experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, than Indigenous respondents (72%).

However, there has been a strong increase in the view that it’s important to learn more in both communities, since 2014.

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

3

11

10

46

44

39

43

0 25 50 75 100

2014

2016


4

2

4

2

26

24

66

72

0 25 50 75 100

Important for allAustralians to learn moreabout the past issues of

European settlement andgovernment policy forIndigenous people?



_____________________________

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

105

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people remain more likely to feel the wrongs of the past must be rectified before we can move on with reconciliation (44%), compared with the general community (28%). However, there has been a notable fall in agreement among both groups that “there should be forgiveness so we can now move on”, compared to 2014.

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

6

5

23

28

66

61

0 25 50 75 100

The wrongs of the past can never be forgiven

I don't 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

14

4

4

37

44

45

39

0 25 50 75 100

2014

2016


Appendix

106

Respondent profiles


_______________________________

Sample characteristics:

107

Gender and age General community weighted %

General community (raw numbers)

Indigenous community weighted %

Indigenous community (raw numbers)

Male 49% 1086 49% 195

Female 51% 1191 51% 305

18 to 29 years old 21% 430 34% 154

30 to 39 18% 406 21% 110

40 to 49 18% 430 20% 97

50 to 59 17% 413 14% 88

60 to 69 13% 321 7% 35

70+ 13% 277 4% 16

Education level General communityweighted %




Working full-time 35% 779 33% 147

Working part-time 19% 433 15% 77

Unemployed/not working 5% 111 13% 70

Student 11% 232 9% 37

Retired 20% 484 9% 45

Manage household/ family 7% 181 15% 86

Other 2% 57 7% 38

General community total sample size = 2277. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander total sample size = 500 Please note, percentages have been rounded and may not equal 100%


_______________________________


108

State General community weighted %




NSW 32% 663 32% 190

ACT 2% 33 1% 6

VIC 25% 507 7% 81

QLD 20% 399 28% 118

WA 10% 199 13% 40

SA 8% 200 6% 24

NT 1% 75 10% 12

TAS 2% 201 4% 29

Metro/Regional General communityweighted %




Capital city 65% 1414 39% 194

Major regional city 15% 335 16% 86

Regional town 8% 196 19% 97

Rural town 8% 205 15% 72

Remote town or community 4% 127 10% 51



_______________________________


109

Household income (gross)

General community weighted %




Less than $30,000 15% 369 28% 147

$30,000 - $49,999 17% 390 15% 81

$50,000 - $69,999 12% 291 17% 78

$70,000 - $89,999 11% 245 14% 67

$90,000 - $119,999 13% 284 8% 41

$120,000 - $149,999 7% 164 4% 16

$150,000 - $249,999 9% 191 3% 18

$250,000 or more 2% 38 0% 1

Don’t know/prefer not to say 14% 305 10% 51


Education level General communityweighted %




Part of secondary school 5% 122 14% 71

Secondary school 24% 563 30% 140

TAFE / Apprenticeship 28% 659 30% 166

University degree 30% 658 20% 93Postgraduate university degree 12% 275 5% 30


_______________________________


110

Birth General community weighted %




Born in Australia 70% 1629 99% 496

Not born in Australia 30% 648 1% 4

Non-Indigenous 98% 2226Australian Aboriginal / Torres Strait Islander 2% 51 100% 500

Cultural heritage (non-Indigenous)

General communityweighted %


British or Irish 52% 1186

European 21% 464

Asian 14% 282

Middle Eastern 1% 26

African 1% 11

Pacific Islander 0% 9

Central or South American 1% 14

Other culture 4% 95

Mixed cultures 6% 139


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POLITY - Reconciliation Australia · POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____ Introduction & background...

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