mg 14. . >cm3>z> Contents POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _______________________________ 1. Introduction & background 2. Methodology 3. 4. ► ARB approach 2008-2012 ► ARB approach 2014-2016 ► Online survey details 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 Appendix ► 2 Online survey sample profiles Introduction & background POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ 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:  3 Race Relations, Unity, Material Equality and Historical Acceptance Methodology 2008-12 Barometers POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _______________________________ Original ARB development To 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, Rockhampton and 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. 4 Methodology 2014-2016 Barometer POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _______________________________ ARB reviewed and refined In 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 Methodology 2016 Barometer POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _______________________________ 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 limitations Gaining 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. 6 The social context of changing attitudes POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _______________________________ Before interpreting any changes in the survey results between 2008 and 2014, it is worthwhile examining how the broader social, political, and economic environment has changed in Australia during this period. There have been some important changes in the last 6 years and these may have influenced our attitudes to reconciliation and other Indigenous issues. The Apology to the Stolen Generation There were two “Indigenous events”, which were prominent at the time of the first Barometer, but have since become less visible as major issues in the media and the political debate. The first of these was the Federal Government’s Apology to the Stolen Generation in February 2008. This event acknowledged and brought attention to the impact of past government policies on Indigenous Australians. It was generally well received by the broader community, as well as Indigenous people, with the latter typically seeing it as a crucial step towards building better relations between the groups. As such, the apology brought attention to the issue of reconciliation in a positive way that set an optimistic tone for the future. The Northern Territory Intervention The other major event occurring around the time of the first Barometer was the Northern Territory Intervention which began in late 2007. As with the Apology it generated significant media attention, but this time it was mostly focussed around negative portrayals of Indigenous people associated with themes of abuse, disadvantage and neglect. Although supported by both sides of politics, the intervention was controversial, with Indigenous people and other Australians divided on its merits. 7 In the time since these two events, there has generally been less attention given to Indigenous issues in the media, and there has also been a drop in the political salience of Indigenous issues compared to other concerns. The Global Financial Crisis On a broader level there has also been a major change in the global financial environment and this has affected the importance that Australians ascribe to various issues. Concern over the Global Financial Crisis peaked around 2009 and continues to affect sentiment today. At a broad level the GFC has been associated with a general shift in the public mood, from one of prosperity to one of uncertainty and guarded optimism. Other public indicators have shown that over this period Australians have become relatively more concerned about job security and their financial stability and relatively less concerned with “nonfinancial issues” such as the environment or Indigenous reconciliation. Campaign for Constitutional Recognition Since 2010 there has been considerable progress towards an agreement to hold a referendum that would recognise Indigenous people in the constitution. The expert panel for constitutional change released their initial report in January 2012 with recommendations for specific constitutional amendments. The movement for constitutional change had a relatively low profile at the time of the 2012 Barometer but has steadily gained attention during 2013-2016. The Political Landscape, 2013-2016 The Federal election of 2013 saw a change of Commonwealth Government and the ushering in of a national focus on austerity and a more conservative agenda, particularly towards immigration and welfare. However, the Coalition under both Abbott and Turnbull has shown strong support for Constitutional Recognition, although the process has slowed to undertake Indigenous consultation. These ‘mixed messages’ are arguably both helping and hindering the reconciliation cause. Key findings and trends analysis We continue to view the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians as important POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ 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. Stolen NT intervention generation apology GFC peak/ Decline in community confidence 100 100 1st Barometer May 2008 99 2nd Barometer May 2010 90 Constitutional change panel reports/ Aus day incident Abbott Govt focuses on ‘austerity’ and border protection Constitutional Recognition still not certain 98 3rd Barometer July 2012 91 96 4th Barometer Sept 2014 97 89 87 87 86 80 Indigenous respondents who feel the relationship is fairly/very important General community respondents who feel the relationship is fairly/very important 70 60 50 Late '07 Early '08 Late '08 Early '09 Late '09 Early '10 Late '10 Early '11 Late '11 Early '12 Late '12 Early '13 Late '13 Early '14 Late '14 Early '15 Late '15 Early '16 Late '16 9 5th Barometer Aug 2016 Indigenous Australians are more likely to feel other Australians trust them, than actually do POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ 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. Stolen NT intervention generation apology GFC peak/ Decline in community confidence Constitutional change panel reports/ Aus day incident Abbott Govt focuses on ‘austerity’ and border protection Constitutional Recognition still not certain 40 Indigenous respondents who feel other Australians have fairly/very high trust for them 4th Barometer Sept 2014 General community respondents who feel they have fairly/very high trust for Indigenous Australians 34 34 5th Barometer Aug 2016 30 26 25 20 1st Barometer May 2008 10 12 2nd Barometer May 2010 13 6 4 3rd Barometer July 2012 13 5 0 Late '07 Early '08 Late '08 Early '09 Late '09 Early '10 Late '10 Early '11 Late '11 Early '12 Late '12 Early '13 Late '13 Early '14 Late '14 Early '15 Late '15 Early '16 Late '16 10 Indigenous trust towards other Australians has increased again POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ There has been a solid increase again in the numbers of Indigenous Australians who hold fairly high/very high trust for other Australians, 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. Stolen NT intervention generation apology GFC peak/ Decline in community confidence Constitutional change panel reports/ Aus day incident Abbott Govt focuses on ‘austerity’ and border protection Constitutional Recognition still not certain 50 Indigenous respondents who feel they have fairly/very high trust for other Australians 46 General community respondents who feel Indigenous Australians have fairly/very high trust for them 5th Barometer Aug 2016 40 39 4th Barometer Sept 2014 30 20 1st Barometer May 2008 2nd Barometer May 2010 3rd Barometer July 2012 15 12 10 20 19 12 12 11 9 0 Late '07 Early '08 Late '08 Early '09 Late '09 Early '10 Late '10 Early '11 Late '11 Early '12 Late '12 Early '13 Late '13 Early '14 Late '14 Early '15 Late '15 Early '16 Late '16 11 Both groups continue to believe they trust more than the other group does POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ 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. Stolen NT intervention generation apology GFC peak/ Decline in community confidence Constitutional change panel reports/ Aus day incident Abbott Govt focuses on ‘austerity’ and border protection Constitutional Recognition still not certain 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 4th Barometer Sept 2014 46 40 30 General community respondents who feel Indigenous Australians have fairly/very high trust for them General community respondents who feel they have fairly/very high trust for Indigenous Australians 20 1st Barometer May 2008 2nd Barometer May 2010 3rd Barometer July 2012 39 34 26 20 34 25 19 10 0 Late '07 Early '08 Late '08 Early '09 Late '09 Early '10 Late '10 Early '11 Late '11 Early '12 Late '12 Early '13 Late '13 Early '14 Late '14 Early '15 Late '15 Early '16 Late '16 12 ‘Gap’ in trust perception 5th Barometer Aug 2016 ‘Gap’ in trust perception Education and personal experience help drive views that the relationship is very important General community POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ Indigenous respondents Comparisons of main source of information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and views of the importance of the relationship: 23 36 4 8 38 2 8 7 0 44 45 9 50 Parents and family 2 Other people around you 3 4 38 75 0 100 The relationship is not important at all Fairly unimportant 66 31 79 19 70 26 2 The media 42 46 25 My own personal experiences with Aboriginal 11 and Torres Strait Islander… 50 46 6 8 My main source of info is school education or other 3 research 59 80 18 57 36 25 Fairly important 50 75 100 Very important 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. 13 Education and media influence has increased since 2014 General community POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ Indigenous respondents Comparisons of main source of information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and views of the importance of the relationship: 2016 23 36 7 4 2014 41 2016 2 8 2014 48 46 5 10 0 My main source is School education 3 or other research 59 47 25 50 7 4 The media 22 44 6 38 75 0 100 The relationship is not important at all Fairly unimportant 66 31 69 19 70 26 61 33 25 Fairly important 50 75 100 Very important 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. 14 Most Australians hardly ever socialise with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Australians General community Indigenous respondents People of British or European heritage 84 16 53 32 0 50 75 100 Socialise with never/rarely 46 15 People of another cultural heritage 68 25 54 People of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage 33 63 37 Peope of Middle Eastern heritage 47 67 74 26 People of Asian heritage 72 28 POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ 85 32 0 68 25 50 75 Socialise with occassionally/frequently 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. 15 100 More Australians now socialise with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Australians General community 2014 2016 British or European heritage 87 13 69 31 59 70 0 53 Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage 30 50 100 Socialise with never/rarely 47 67 Another cultural heritage 75 72 28 Middle Eastern heritage 69 25 84 16 Asian heritage 41 31 POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ 33 32 0 68 25 50 75 100 Socialise with occassionally/frequently 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). 16 Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Australians are more likely to experience racial prejudice POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ 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. General community 18 Experienced at least 1 form of racial prejudice in past 6 months 82 14 Physical violence 97 25 50 75 100 Yes 17 46 Verbal abuse 86 3 0 Indigenous respondents 54 37 63 17 0 No 83 25 50 75 100 More Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Australians have experienced recent prejudice, compared with 2014 General community 2016 18 82 2014 16 84 0 25 50 POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ Indigenous respondents Experienced at least 1 form of racial prejudice in past 6 months 46 54 39 75 100 Yes 0 No 61 25 50 75 100 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. 18 People who feel Australia’s past has been the cause of Indigenous disadvantages today also widely disagree they are responsible for them POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ General community Past racial policies are the cause of Indigenous disadvantage today 5 Australia's colonial legacy is the cause of Indigenous disadvantage today 14 7 0 27 54 17 30 25 Strongly disagree Disagree 5 17 46 50 75 Neither agree or disagree 28 100 Agree/Strongly agree 51 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are responsible for their own disadvantages today? 4 14 0 26 56 25 Strongly agree Agree 50 Neither agree or disagree 75 100 Disagree/Strongly disagree 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. 19 Q. How much do you agree or disagree with the following statement? People who disagree Australia’s past has been the cause of Indigenous disadvantages today also widely feel they are responsible for them POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ General community Past racial policies are the cause of Indigenous disadvantage today 19 Australia's colonial legacy is the cause of Indigenous disadvantage today 27 24 0 38 30 25 16 33 50 Strongly disagree/Disagree 14 75 100 Neither agree or disagree Agree Strongly agree 63 29 5 3 63 29 5 2 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are responsible for their own disadvantages today? 0 25 Strongly agree/Agree 50 Neither agree or disagree 75 Disagree 100 Strongly disagree 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. 20 Q. How much do you agree or disagree with the following statement? The attitude among younger non-Indigenous Australians bodes well for the future POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ 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. General community 50 % Hold fairly/very high trust for Indigenous people Low importance Hold high trust for Indigenous people 40 High importance Hold high trust for Indigenous people 30 30-39 yrs 70+ yrs All ages 18-29 year olds 50-59 yrs 20 60-69 yrs 10 Low importance Hold low trust for Indigenous people 40-49 yrs High importance Hold low trust for Indigenous people 0 40 50 60 70 80 The relationship is fairly/very important 21 90 100 The attitude among younger Indigenous Australians bodes well for the future POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ 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. Indigenous respondents % Hold fairly/very high trust for non-Indigenous people 70 Low importance Hold high trust for other Australians 60 High importance Hold high trust for other Australians 30-39 yrs 18-29 year olds 50 All ages 70+ yrs 60-69 yrs 40 50-59 yrs 30 40-49 yrs 20 Low importance Hold low trust for other Australians 10 High importance Hold low trust for other Australians 0 40 50 60 70 80 The relationship is fairly/very important 22 90 100 A?rdiml?n?lim?? Key trends by State in the general community Despite high importance in the relationship, trust for Indigenous Australians is low in all States POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ High trust in Indigenous people is lacking across the general communities of all States, but particularly low in SA, NT and WA. . General community % Hold very/fairly high trust for Indigenous Australians 40 Low importance Higher trust for Indigenous Australians High importance Higher trust for Indigenous Australians 35 30 NSW National 25 Victoria Tasmania 20 Queensland WA SA 15 10 NT Low importance Low trust for Indigenous Australians 5 High importance Low trust for Indigenous Australians 0 60 65 70 75 80 85 The relationship is fairly/very important 24 90 95 100 Northern Territorians are most likely to view the relationship as very important POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ General community Perceptions of the importance of the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians: 6 3 NSW 6 6 TAS 4 QLD 72 17 3 8 NT 6 41 50 39 49 41 49 48 40 8 VIC 3 WA 4 9 SA 4 10 0 42 44 25 Not important at all 45 42 50 Fairly unimportant 75 Fairly important 100 Very important 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. 25 Q. How important is the relationship between Indigenous people and other Australians for Australia as a nation? NOTE: ACT sample too small Trust is lowest among Northern Territorians POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ General community Trust that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have for other Australians: 21 NSW 18 VIC SA 23 WA 23 16 42 14 48 4 14 3 16 4 11 1 4 15 5 46 6 10 18 45 33 NT 17 12 52 19 TAS 14 51 22 QLD 14 43 6 10 Trust that other Australians have for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: 14 NSW 12 VIC 0 25 Very low Fairly low 16 1 50 Don't know 5 75 Fairly high 7 19 17 46 4 13 9 50 31 NT 5 14 49 11 TAS 20 20 56 22 WA 5 15 46 13 SA 24 14 49 16 QLD 13 44 13 3 4 100 Very high 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. 26 Q. How would you describe the level of trust between the following groups of people? Trust is lowest among Capital city residents, especially in Perth POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ General community Trust that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have for other Australians: Regional and rural residents Capital city residents 66 16 19 National 68 Regional and rural residents Capital city residents 13 56 19 18 26 WA 74 13 13 Trust that other Australians have for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: Regional and rural residents Capital city residents 59 15 26 National 64 Regional and rural residents Capital city residents 12 56 24 11 33 WA 75 0 25 Fairly/Very low 8 50 Don't know 75 Fairly/Very high 18 100 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. 27 Q. How would you describe the level of trust between the following groups of people? Trust is lowest among regional and rural residents in the Northern Territory POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ General community Trust that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have for other Australians: Regional and rural residents Capital city residents 66 16 19 National 68 Regional and rural residents Capital city residents 13 19 82 6 12 NT 72 2 26 Trust that other Australians have for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: Regional and rural residents Capital city residents 59 15 26 National 64 Regional and rural residents Capital city residents 12 24 80 6 13 NT 72 0 25 Fairly/Very low 2 50 Don't know 75 Fairly/Very high 26 100 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. 28 Q. How would you describe the level of trust between the following groups of people? Queenslanders and Victorians are most likely to feel there is low prejudice between the groups POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ General community Level of prejudice between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous Australians? NSW 11 QLD 11 33 VIC 11 34 39 13 TAS 19 17 SA 17 0 20 30 7 19 18 40 17 14 Fairly high prejudice 13 50 Don't know 5 8 6 27 3 49 25 Very high prejudice 7 31 42 19 25 19 40 WA NT 19 75 Fairly low prejudice 17 3 100 Very low prejudice 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. 29 Q. How would you describe the level of prejudice between the following groups of people in Australia? Capital city residents are more likely to feel there is high prejudice between the groups POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ General community Level of prejudice between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous Australians? Regional and rural residents 44 19 36 National Capital city residents 52 Regional and rural residents 18 47 30 18 36 NSW Capital city residents 51 Regional and rural residents 41 20 29 20 39 QLD Capital city residents 48 0 25 Fairly/Very high prejudice 18 50 Don't know 34 75 100 Fairly/Very low prejudice 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. 30 Q. How would you describe the level of prejudice between the following groups of people in Australia? Regional NT residents are most likely to feel there is high prejudice between the groups POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ General community Level of prejudice between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous Australians? Regional and rural residents 46 28 26 WA Capital city residents 62 Regional and rural residents 15 55 22 16 29 TAS Capital city residents 48 29 Regional and rural residents 23 71 11 18 NT Capital city residents 61 0 25 Fairly/Very high prejudice 16 50 Don't know 23 75 100 Fairly/Very low prejudice 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. 31 Q. How would you describe the level of prejudice between the following groups of people in Australia? Most Northern Territorians feel they know about Indigenous history POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ General community Knowledge of the history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia: NT 1 23 57 8 WA 45 39 15 SA NSW 8 QLD 10 VIC 11 TAS 11 0 20 8 46 32 47 6 40 48 6 37 52 33 54 25 Very low/No knowledge at all 6 4 31 50 Fairly low 75 Fairly high 3 100 Very high 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. 32 Q. How would you describe your level of knowledge about the following topics? There is widespread support in NSW for Indigenous history to be formally taught in schools POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ General community Important Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history becomes a compulsory part of the school curriculum? 6 NSW 8 WA 15 14 SA 6 QLD 6 TAS 6 36 43 17 4 VIC 37 26 26 10 NT 39 43 11 48 32 32 31 42 21 25 Not important at all 33 46 16 0 45 50 Fairly unimportant 75 Fairly important 100 Very important 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. 33 Q. Is it important or not for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history to be a compulsory part of the school curriculum? More people in NT are strongly proud of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ General community Proud of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures? NSW QLD 2 SA 3 TAS 3 9 0 Strongly disagree 50 Disagree 16 36 38 25 17 43 28 6 18 33 36 9 4 WA 20 36 36 6 22 41 31 VIC 1 5 22 42 31 23 26 37 28 6 3 NT Neither agree nor disagree 75 Agree 100 Strongly agree 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. 34 Q. As an Australian, or as someone living in Australia, please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements. West Australians widely agree Indigenous people are responsible for their disadvantages today POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ General community Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are responsible for their own disadvantages today? TAS 8 SA 9 0 25 Strongly agree Agree 14 37 26 17 WA 9 19 40 23 10 25 37 22 10 19 33 27 11 QLD 13 23 36 20 8 NSW 13 26 34 21 6 VIC 39 3 30 18 10 NT 50 Neither agree or disagree 7 75 Disagree 100 Strongly disagree 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. 35 Q. How much do you agree or disagree with the following statement? More people in the eastern States accept that Australia was owned by Indigenous people POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ General community Do we accept Australia was owned by Indigenous people at the time of colonisation? 11 VIC 12 54 33 54 30 16 WA 56 26 14 SA 59 29 18 QLD 60 29 NSW 14 39 NT 0 47 37 16 TAS 25 I do not accept this 47 50 I am unsure about this 75 I accept this 100 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. 36 Q. Do you accept or not accept the following as facts about Australia’s past? More Northern Territorians strongly agree it is important for all Australians to learn more about past issues POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ General community Important for all Australians to learn more about past issues of European settlement and government policy? 7 NT 9 30 54 SA 3 11 NSW 3 9 43 45 VIC 3 9 44 45 WA 3 11 QLD 4 TAS 5 0 40 47 44 14 42 41 18 41 44 25 50 Not important at all Fairly unimportant 33 75 Fairly important 100 Very important 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. 37 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? Queenslanders are most likely to feel past issues should be forgiven POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ 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%). General community 4 3 QLD 22 71 WA 4 6 25 66 TAS 4 6 24 65 10 SA 6 NSW 0 60 32 3 20 NT 23 5 9 VIC 6 57 33 7 55 22 25 51 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 38 Q. In terms of the history of European settlement in Australia, which of the following statements do you most agree with? Australian Reconciliation Barometer 2016 Full results comparing Indigenous-only perspectives with the general public 39 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 General community 19 7 0 25 25 45 50 Never 75 Peope of Middle Eastern heritage 14 24 43 14 8 People of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage 100 Rarely 8 0 Occasionally 32 33 24 25 14 51 34 4 12 21 42 24 21 People of another cultural heritage 23 39 34 16 11 People of Asian heritage 33 35 24 People of British or European heritage 35 37 20 7 Indigenous respondents 51 32 4 12 POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ 46 50 75 22 100 Frequently 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. 41 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)? There has been little change in the percentage of Australians who frequently socialise with Indigenous people General community 24 2016 0 Indigenous respondents 43 25 2014 45 25 50 Never POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ 75 24 8 23 7 Socialise with people of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage? 100 Rarely 4 12 34 4 14 0 Occasionally 51 38 25 50 44 75 100 Frequently 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%). 42 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)? We mostly have a good relationship with medical staff and local shops POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ General community Indigenous respondents Perceptions of the overall quality of the relationship with the following groups of people: 12 9 46 12 10 24 0 52 24 50 Very poor relationship 30 75 50 Local shop owners and staff 22 12 35 41 25 Doctors, nurses, medical staff etc 23 6 42 8 Police 100 Fairly poor relationship 0 Don't know 8 40 52 31 20 25 37 50 Fairly good relationship 28 75 Very good relationship 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%). 43 Q. Overall, do you find you have a good relationship or a poor relationship with the following groups? 100 Indigenous Australians are more likely to have poor relationships with real estate agents General community POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ Indigenous respondents Perceptions of the overall quality of the relationship with the following groups of people: 14 27 40 33 13 3 8 0 36 40 25 37 50 Very poor relationship 28 Employers 3 4 28 36 29 27 School teachers and principals 3 4 28 36 29 12 75 6 10 Real estate agents 100 Fairly poor relationship 0 Don't know 40 25 Fairly good relationship 28 50 16 75 100 Very good relationship 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%). 44 Q. Overall, do you find you have a good relationship or a poor relationship with the following groups? Indigenous relationships have mostly improved with school staff, police and estate agents 2014 POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ Indigenous respondents 2016 Perceptions of the overall quality of the relationship with the following groups of people: 2 9 22 4 12 4 14 0 42 25 School teachers and 3 4 principals 38 25 Police 8 8 Real estate agents 6 10 20 42 25 30 50 Very poor relationship 75 11 0 100 Fairly poor relationship Dont know 36 28 29 37 20 28 40 25 Fairly good relationship 28 50 16 75 Very good relationship 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. 45 Q. Overall, do you find you have a good relationship or a poor relationship with the following groups? 100 We mostly feel there is mutual trust with medical staff, police and school staff POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ General community Indigenous respondents Perceptions of the overall level of trust with the following groups of people: 12 9 46 3 7 16 14 25 0 46 28 47 25 Doctors, nurses, medical staff etc 2 3 10 42 50 Very low trust School teachers and principals 23 75 12 Police 100 Fairly low trust 5 8 0 Don't know 47 11 37 17 34 21 25 Fairly high trust 26 44 50 23 75 100 Very high trust 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. 46 Q. Overall, how much trust do you feel there is between you and the following groups? We are most likely to feel there is a low level of trust with estate agents General community POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ Indigenous respondents Perceptions of the overall level of trust with the following groups of people: 14 2 11 11 0 18 60 31 42 27 25 14 35 50 Very low trust Local shop owners and staff 2 6 17 22 75 Employers 3 8 5 Real estate agents 100 Fairly low trust 12 0 Don't know 20 51 29 18 25 Fairly high trust 21 39 21 35 50 25 75 10 100 Very high trust 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. 47 Q. Overall, how much trust do you feel there is between you and the following groups? Indigenous trust has mostly deteriorated for police, local shops and employers 2014 POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ Indigenous respondents 2016 Perceptions of the overall level of trust with the following groups of people: 8 13 25 0 7 15 20 42 53 29 25 Local shop owners and staff 2 6 23 46 50 Very low trust Employers 3 8 18 75 12 Police 28 0 100 Fairly low trust Dont know 11 17 20 34 26 51 29 25 Fairly high trust 21 39 50 21 75 100 Very high trust 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). 48 Q. Overall, how much trust do you feel there is between you and the following groups? Indigenous Australians remain more likely to view the relationship as very important General community POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ Indigenous respondents Perceptions of the importance of the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians: 4 7 5 41 9 43 4 10 5 41 9 0 40 25 Not important at all 87 20100 1 9 43 75 73 22 20120 2 11 46 20080 51 50 76 21 2014 13 43 44 1 8 2016 2 1 48 100 Fairly unimportant 90 94 6 0 25 Fairly important 50 75 100 Very important 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 Indigenous people who consider the relationship “very important” remains much lower than 2008. 49 Q. How important is the relationship between Indigenous people and other Australians for Australia as a nation? Trust among Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians remains steady from 2014 General community POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ Indigenous respondents Trust that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have for other Australians: 21 46 20 46 25 15 4 2016 13 16 4 2014 14 9 2 2012 29 55 7 2 2010 31 54 2 11 1 10 2 2008 58 2 11 1 14 13 53 11 31 50 10 33 48 8 33 8 41 31 5 28 15 27 12 2 1 13 Trust that other Australians have for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: 14 48 13 20 4 2016 23 35 7 20 15 15 48 12 21 5 2014 23 36 7 21 13 25 0 53 8 11 2 2012 29 52 6 11 2 2010 28 54 6 11 1 2008 25 50 Very low 75 Fairly low 38 45 Don't know 35 46 41 0 100 55 3 6 50 25 50 Fairly high 5 4 75 100 Very high 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. 50 Q. How would you describe the level of trust between the following groups of people? We continue to be more likely to see high prejudice between ourselves POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ General community 2016 12 2014 10 0 37 19 35 25 19 50 12 2014 10 0 37 30 20 50 6 Prejudice between nonIndigenous Australians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians 75 20 0 100 26 6 30 5 40 22 6 Fairly high prejudice 19 36 25 27 75 Very high prejudice 2016 Indigenous respondents Don't know 40 25 Fairly low prejudice Between Non-Indigenous Australians and new Immigrants from overseas 100 20 0 6 11 23 4 75 100 Very low prejudice 34 25 17 50 38 24 17 50 19 16 13 22 75 7 7 100 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. 51 Q. How would you describe the level of prejudice between the following groups of people in Australia? Perceptions of prejudice 2008-12 POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ General community Indigenous respondents Prejudice that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have for other Australians: 25 44 12 16 3 2012 18 17 1 2010 19 55 2 21 3 2 2008 18 55 2 24 2 26 46 9 26 45 12 15 26 54 2 Prejudice that other Australians have for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: 21 49 20 51 6 16 0 8 55 25 50 Very high 8 19 2 2012 20 2 2010 19 75 Fairly high 2 100 59 36 53 2008 0 Don't know 25 15 40 50 14 2 43 50 Fairly low 5 75 100 Very low 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. 52 Q. How would you describe the level of prejudice between the following groups of people? Few people believe non-Indigenous Australians are superior General community POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ Indigenous respondents Non-Indigenous Australians are superior to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians? 26 25 26 24 29 27 3 10 26 2 9 0 32 27 2 8 25 Strongly agree 2016 40 26 8 9 14 35 2014 5 14 34 2012 45 9 30 30 2010 7 5 33 30 2008 7 7 6 50 75 Agree 100 0 Neither agree nor disagree 15 20 54 14 11 10 47 70 14 64 12 25 Disagree 68 50 75 100 Strongly disagree 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. 53 Q. Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statement Indigenous Australians remain more likely to worry about other cultures General community 2016 2016 3 13 24 2014 3 12 26 2016 3 15 2014 3 18 0 Strongly agree Other races/cultures are harmful to mine 7 I find it difficult to understand the customs and ways of other races/cultures 14 75 Agree 100 Neither agree nor disagree 26 28 17 10 16 37 28 12 10 26 37 50 I worry about causing offence when I meet people from other races/cultures 30 33 29 8 15 30 29 25 13 30 28 25 2014 3 Indigenous respondents 30 26 26 5 POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ 20 10 0 Disagree 28 26 23 25 20 24 28 31 23 24 27 50 14 11 22 22 18 27 15 24 15 75 100 Strongly disagree 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. 54 Q. Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements The media continues to be a key source of information about Indigenous people for many Australians General community 0 25 Indigenous respondents 38 16 3 9 2016 10 50 36 36 15 3 10 2014 10 49 35 36 17 4 8 2012 16 3 9 2010 2 9 2008 2 34 38 35 37 35 50 POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ 15 3 75 100 6 7 57 0 2 57 25 28 6 32 4 50 7 37 5 62 27 28 75 The media Your own personal experiences with Indigenous people School education or other research Parents and family Other people around you 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. 55 Q. Which of the following is your main source of information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people? 4 4 4 100 Indigenous people widely feel the media usually portrays them negatively POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ General community 45 48 0 25 Media portrayal of nonIndigenous Australians 58 22 20 Indigenous respondents 10 9 50 Media portrayal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians 45 100 Usually negative 39 49 57 Media portrayal of new immigrants from overseas 43 75 12 10 52 0 Usually positive 25 33 17 50 31 75 100 Balanced 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%). 56 Q. Do you believe the media presents mostly a positive, negative or balanced portrayal of the following groups of people in Australia? Indigenous people have become more sceptical about media portrayal POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ General community 2016 45 2014 44 0 25 10 7 50 Indigenous respondents Media portrayal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians 45 57 49 75 45 100 Usually negative 0 Usually positive 25 10 10 50 33 45 75 Balanced 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%). 57 Q. Do you believe the media presents mostly a positive, negative or balanced portrayal of the following groups of people in Australia? 100 We still mostly agree we are better off with many cultural groups General community POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ Indigenous respondents Australia is better off because we have many different cultures? 4 9 3 10 21 41 23 40 25 2016 24 2014 6 10 23 43 19 2012 3 6 5 10 23 42 20 2010 4 9 0 25 43 50 Strongly disagree 25 75 Disagree 6 2008 1 7 100 0 28 33 23 24 36 22 9 9 6 20 10 22 25 Neither agree nor disagree 33 34 19 9 30 36 25 37 32 50 Agree 75 100 Strongly agree 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). 58 Q. Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements. More Australians now believe Australia is a racist country POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ General community 2016 3 10 18 45 2014 3 11 21 0 25 50 6 2014 6 0 33 29 25 29 33 50 Strongly agree I believe it is possible for all Australians to become united 23 44 Strongly disagree 2016 Indigenous respondents 5 9 4 7 21 75 Disagree 9 24 8 Agree Australia is a racist country 100 Neither agree nor disagree 37 20 30 50 Agree 19 75 23 31 25 Disagree 100 Strongly agree 38 17 0 29 39 25 Neither agree nor disagree 23 75 0 100 20 29 50 75 13 7 17 6 100 Strongly disagree 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. 59 Q. Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements Indigenous Australians are more likely to have experienced racial prejudice in the past 6 months General community Indigenous respondents 86 14 POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ 63 37 Verbal abuse 3 97 Physical violence 17 83 3 97 Prevented from renting or buying a property 17 83 2 98 Refused entry to a venue 16 84 2 98 Refused service in a shop 12 88 Other 14 86 95 5 0 25 50 75 100 Yes 0 No 25 50 75 100 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. 60 Q. In the past 6 months, have you personally experienced any of the following forms of prejudice, on the basis of your race? Indigenous experiences of racial prejudice have increased since 2014 2014 Indigenous respondents 2016 31 0 POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ 69 37 Verbal abuse 63 14 86 Physical violence 17 83 12 88 Prevented from renting or buying a property 17 83 11 89 Refused entry to a venue 16 84 25 50 75 100 Yes 0 No 25 50 75 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. 61 Q. In the past 6 months, have you personally experienced any of the following forms of prejudice, on the basis of your race? 100 Indigenous Australians are much more likely to have witnessed racial prejudice in the past 6 months General community Indigenous respondents 76 24 94 Refused entry to a venue 5 95 Refused service in a shop 4 96 Prevented from renting or buying a property 5 95 Other 25 50 75 100 68 29 71 24 76 26 74 13 0 Yes 51 32 Physical violence 6 0 49 Verbal abuse 90 10 POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ 87 25 50 75 100 No 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%). 62 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? Indigenous witness of racial prejudice has increased since 2014 2014 Indigenous respondents 2016 58 42 0 77 Physical violence 22 78 Refused entry to a venue 19 81 Refused service in a shop 17 83 Prevented from renting or buying a property 90 25 50 49 Verbal abuse 23 10 POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ 32 100 71 24 76 26 74 13 0 Yes 68 29 Other 75 51 87 25 50 75 100 No 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. 63 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? Indigenous Australians are much more likely to experience racial discrimination General community Indigenous respondents 21 3 94 Doctors, nurses, and/or medical staff etc 12 3 94 Real estate agents 12 4 93 School teachers and/or principals 0 25 50 Yes, in the past 6 months POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ 75 100 8 7 10 11 7 7 8 0 Yes, between 6-12 months ago 76 14 68 15 25 69 50 Yes, but more than a year ago 75 100 No 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. 64 Q. Have you or members of your family felt racially discriminated against by any of the following groups? Indigenous Australians are much more likely to experience racial discrimination (cont.) General community 114 93 22 4 91 32 6 89 0 25 50 Yes, in the past 6 months POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ Indigenous respondents 15 Police Local shop owners and/or staff 10 8 Employers 75 100 14 10 10 0 Yes, between 6-12 months ago 15 56 12 68 14 68 25 50 75 Yes, but more than a year ago 100 No 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. 65 Q. Have you or members of your family felt racially discriminated against by any of the following groups? Indigenous experience of racial discrimination has increased since 2014 2014 9 6 7 8 7 6 0 Indigenous respondents 2016 17 68 9 Local shop owners and/or staff 75 25 50 Yes, in the past 6 months 15 Police 76 12 POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ 10 8 Employers 75 100 14 10 10 0 Yes, between 6-12 months ago 15 56 12 68 14 68 25 50 75 Yes, but more than a year ago 100 No 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). 66 Q. Have you or members of your family felt racially discriminated against by any of the following groups? 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 General community Indigenous respondents Knowledge about the history of Australia 2016 4 26 56 14 2014 3 27 57 13 2016 10 48 37 5 2014 9 52 33 6 2016 12 2014 55 59 11 0 25 50 POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ 75 Knowledge about the history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia 4 15 2 21 19 4 23 29 4 5 21 26 4 Knowledge about Aboriginal and Torres 3 Strait Islander cultures Very low/No knowledge at all 0 Fairly low 28 48 5 100 35 45 35 41 30 43 33 41 27 38 31 25 Fairly high 50 75 100 Very high 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 knowledge about 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. 68 Q. How would you describe your level of knowledge about the following topics? Levels of knowledge about Indigenous history and culture 2008-2012 General community POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ Indigenous respondents Knowledge level about the history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: 16 42 21 34 41 15 35 43 2012 8 38 5 8 4 2010 2 8 4 2008 4 35 51 48 9 41 42 46 Knowledge level about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures: 17 51 24 48 17 0 26 25 52 25 50 28 75 No knowledge at all/Very low 5 2012 5 3 2010 4 11 3 2008 3 13 100 0 Fairly low 11 42 42 48 44 25 Fairly high 50 37 40 75 100 Very high 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. 69 Q. How would you describe your level of knowledge about the following topics? Knowing and learning about Indigenous history and cultures has increased in importance since 2014 General community 2016 1 5 2014 2 4 2014 1 3 Importance of knowing about the history of Australia 54 39 2016 3 11 Indigenous respondents 55 39 5 12 50 33 2016 4 13 50 34 2014 0 25 50 75 6 2014 8 0 14 45 15 50 35 75 100 0 62 32 65 30 57 36 25 Fairly important Important Indigenous history is a compulsory part of the school 23 curriculum? 31 70 25 0 Fairly unimportant 35 46 25 2 4 65 31 Importance of knowing about 1 6 Indigenous cultures 100 Not important at all 2016 3 2 71 24 Importance of knowing about the 2 5 history of Indigenous people 31 49 6 15 4 37 48 POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ 50 75 100 75 100 Very important 27 69 30 25 62 50 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are twice as likely to believe it is very important for all Australians to learn about 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. 70 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? Perceptions of importance of Indigenous history and culture 2008-2012 General community POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ Indigenous respondents Importance of knowing about the history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: 4 4 10 51 12 53 2 11 2012 2 9 35 31 53 34 89 2010 8 92 2008 6 94 Importance of knowing about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures: 5 14 5 2 0 51 15 55 13 2008 28 50 Not at all important 75 3 2010 1 25 57 25 2012 31 100 Fairly unimportant 23 73 19 80 15 0 84 25 Fairly important 50 75 100 Very important 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. 71 Q. How important is it that all Australians know about the following topics? More Australians agree Indigenous people hold a unique and important place in the national identity General community POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ Indigenous respondents Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are important to Australia’s identity as a nation? 3 5 3 8 18 3 7 20 2 7 20 0 50 0 39 21 40 25 50 34 31 75 2014 2 10 2012 5 66 28 59 11 83 100 87 7 2008 75 Disagree 27 2010 2 11 25 46 20 44 21 49 Strongly disagree 2014 23 48 25 2016 2 4 26 46 20 2016 2 5 31 46 18 24 92 0 25 Neither agree nor disagree 27 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people hold a 22 9 unique place as the first Australians? 100 0 50 Agree 75 100 Strongly agree 19 72 23 25 64 50 75 100 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. 72 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? Most Australians remain proud of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures General community POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ Indigenous respondents Proud of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures? 25 33 46 34 9 36 5 8 37 35 37 41 25 Strongly disagree 17 2014 11 16 2012 12 8 13 32 50 2016 1 7 21 40 5 2 8 0 39 17 75 Disagree 100 14 2010 2 11 2008 7 0 28 62 34 51 89 86 92 25 Neither agree nor disagree 50 Agree 75 100 Strongly agree 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. 73 Q. As an Australian, or as someone living in Australia, please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements. Most Australians continue to be proud of our multiculturalism General community POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ Indigenous respondents Proud of our multiculturalism? 3 7 3 7 21 42 23 2016 6 6 23 23 2014 6 5 23 27 44 26 40 35 31 Proud of our British/European cultures? 26 29 43 21 2016 15 30 44 20 2014 0 25 50 Strongly disagree 75 Disagree 100 8 11 35 5 8 0 37 25 Neither agree nor disagree 18 32 50 Agree 16 29 75 100 Strongly agree 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%). 74 Q. As an Australian, or as someone living in Australia, please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements. We mostly continue to think the 2008 Apology has improved the relationship General community POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ Indigenous respondents Perception of The Apology to the Stolen Generations in 2008: 4 4 34 46 44 5 6 41 43 4 5 0 38 41 50 25 35 50 75 It has made the relationship a lot worse 8 2016 7 3 41 8 2014 5 6 38 6 2012 1 4 7 2010 32 100 0 A little worse 33 34 34 No difference 17 48 37 25 16 13 47 50 A little better 11 75 100 A lot better 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. 75 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? More Australians would like to do something to improve reconciliation General community 2016 4 8 2014 4 8 7 2016 5 2014 0 2014 4 8 2016 5 11 2014 6 11 0 13 25 50 25 75 36 25 50 Neither agree nor disagree 13 36 75 25 The Federal Government should put measures in place 22 to help improve reconciliation 19 38 0 50 Agree 11 100 24 Businesses should put measures in place to help 3 4 improve reconciliation 0 75 46 36 20 100 Strongly agree 37 17 13 34 39 3 11 17 32 37 23 12 23 43 33 100 Disagree 41 25 4 20 47 25 do to help improve reconciliation 22 46 26 4 I know what I can 4 10 22 41 26 29 41 25 I would like to do 32 something to 33 help improve reconciliation 8 36 44 Strongly disagree 2016 4 7 Indigenous respondents 39 37 POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ 43 44 25 25 30 38 50 29 75 100 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. 76 Q. Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements We still agree ANZAC Day could celebrate Australia’s national unity with more shared ceremonies POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ Shared cultural icons or events that would celebrate national unity and identity: General community Indigenous respondents Official ANZAC Day ceremonies to honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander AND non-Indigenous soldiers 86 76 84 75 Acknowledgement of the Traditional Custodians of the land at Australian Citizenship ceremonies 84 68 83 66 2016 Official dual naming of significant sites in Australia, using English AND Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander names (e.g. Uluru/Ayers Rock) 66 83 2014 76 61 82 61 Making Mabo Day (June 3) a day of national significance 75 55 Having Welcome to Country addresses at major sporting events (e.g. Melbourne Cup, International matches, etc) 76 52 71 47 0 25 50 % Yes 75 100 0 25 50 % Yes 75 100 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. 77 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? We mostly think more needs to be done to reduce problems of prejudice General community POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ Indigenous respondents Doing enough to reduce problems of discrimination and prejudice between non-Indigenous and Indigenous Australians? 16 22 19 15 33 52 12 12 2 5 0 Don't know 33 27 30 27 23 34 33 25 50 Should do nothing 13 17 21 25 Community sector organisations 9 11 25 Private sector businesses 11 21 17 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations 8 22 Government departments 6 12 13 33 32 34 34 35 27 27 33 75 100 0 25 50 Should do less Doing as much as they can Need to do more 45 75 100 Need to do a lot more 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. 78 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? More Indigenous Australians think a lot more needs to be done to reduce prejudice 2014 POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ Indigenous respondents 2016 Doing enough to reduce problems of discrimination and prejudice between non-Indigenous and Indigenous Australians? 8 23 24 10 4 2 20 6 12 0 39 34 33 6 23 13 25 Don't know 23 40 34 Community sector organisations 9 11 25 17 26 Private sector businesses 11 21 24 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations 8 22 42 50 75 100 Should do nothing Should do less Government departments 6 12 13 32 33 35 34 27 27 34 45 33 0 25 50 Doing as much as they can Need to do more 75 100 Need to do a lot more 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). 79 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? We mostly think more needs to be done to create a stronger relationship POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ General community Indigenous respondents Doing enough to create a stronger relationship between non-Indigenous and Indigenous Australians? 18 22 20 17 29 42 25 12 25 14 2 4 23 0 Don't know 25 13 Community sector organisations 16 34 33 35 20 33 50 Should do nothing Should do less 23 35 31 Private sector businesses 11 21 19 36 31 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations 7 22 Government departments 24 75 10 1 100 32 6 12 11 0 Doing as much as they can 32 33 25 24 46 50 Need to do more 75 100 Need to do a lot more 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. 80 Q. Are the following groups doing enough to create a stronger relationship between non-Indigenous people and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples? More Indigenous Australians think a lot more needs to be done for a stronger relationship 2014 POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ Indigenous respondents 2016 Doing enough to create a stronger relationship between non-Indigenous and Indigenous Australians? 7 32 10 22 6 12 21 18 29 37 38 25 Don't know Community sector organisations 22 38 30 5 22 12 0 45 24 Should do nothing 75 23 35 31 Private sector businesses 11 21 19 36 31 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations 7 22 Government departments 42 50 10 1 100 Should do less 32 6 12 11 0 32 33 25 Doing as much as they can 24 46 50 Need to do more 75 100 Need to do a lot more 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). 81 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? Material Equity and Cultural Security How do we feel about our living standards and is enough being done to close the gap? 82 Racial/cultural differences are still seen as the biggest cause of social divisions in Australia General community 37 39 27 2016 19 Indigenous respondents 41 24 25 12 Differences in religion 14 2014 12 10 Differences in education 11 4 10 9 Political differences 5 3 2 0 39 Differences in racial/cultural background Differences in income and wealth 24 17 POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ 5 6 Differences in health 25 50 5 0 25 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. 83 Q. What is the biggest cause of divisions between people in Australia? 50 Indigenous Australians remain twice as likely to consider their living conditions are worse than most Indigenous respondents General community 2016 1 3 31 48 17 Own living conditions 3 6 38 2014 1 3 29 52 16 4 4 40 0 25 50 Very poor 2016 2 13 45 2014 2 13 0 25 75 Poor 30 47 29 50 POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ 75 My conditions are a lot worse 100 0 Just getting by Comfortable 10 9 Own living conditions compared to majority in Australia 100 Slightly worse 25 34 34 50 19 39 8 20 38 About the same 25 18 75 100 Very comfortable 8 0 20 50 Slightly better 21 18 13 16 75 100 A lot better 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. 84 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? Indigenous Australians are more likely to feel their prospects will change for the better General community POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ Indigenous respondents Perceptions of how prospects will change in the next year: 2016 7 73 20 2014 7 72 22 2016 22 54 24 2014 22 54 24 2016 10 69 20 2014 11 70 19 0 25 50 75 Get worse 11 My home life will… 55 13 58 21 My financial situation will… Stay the same 29 52 16 0 36 44 13 100 29 43 27 My working situation will… 34 35 58 25 26 50 75 100 Improve 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. 85 Q. Thinking ahead 12 months, how do you see your prospects will change in the following areas? Indigenous Australians more widely see employment barriers in terms of education and equal opportunity General community Indigenous respondents 2016 7 19 33 34 7 2014 7 17 35 35 6 Employers in Australia follow the Equal Opportunity laws 26 4 The Australian education system prepares children well to find a job 28 4 2016 13 2014 12 0 29 27 25 28 29 50 POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ 75 Strongly disagree 100 Disagree 11 19 9 25 32 18 27 0 Neither agree nor disagree 25 Agree 23 33 16 10 25 35 20 26 18 28 50 75 9 6 9 100 Strongly agree 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. 86 Q. Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements We mostly think more needs to be done in areas of education to close the gap POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ General community Indigenous respondents Doing enough to help close the gap between non-Indigenous and Indigenous peoples in education? 17 12 20 31 42 15 11 12 13 0 Don't know 26 25 14 32 17 37 23 25 34 Should do nothing Private sector businesses 21 33 50 Community sector organisations 9 23 18 5 11 Government departments 5 11 100 Should do less 27 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations 27 75 8 11 36 35 37 16 0 Doing as much as they can 34 34 34 25 27 22 44 50 Need to do more 75 100 Need to do a lot more 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%). 87 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? More Indigenous Australians want Government and Businesses to do more in areas of education 2014 POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ Indigenous respondents 2016 Doing enough to help close the gap between non-Indigenous and Indigenous peoples in education? 10 4 62 19 38 15 0 36 25 Don't know 29 Private sector businesses Government departments 41 50 Should do nothing 75 Should do less 100 9 23 5 11 18 16 0 Doing as much as they can 35 34 25 34 44 50 Need to do more 75 100 Need to do a lot more 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. 88 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? We mostly think more needs to be done in areas of health to close the gap POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ General community Indigenous respondents Doing enough to help close the gap between non-Indigenous and Indigenous peoples in health? 17 20 15 12 12 13 0 Don't know 32 31 12 27 29 42 24 25 Should do nothing 17 30 30 50 Community sector organisations 25 33 24 17 75 100 Should do less 8 21 28 Private sector businesses 10 13 21 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations 5 11 Government departments 5 02 0 Doing as much as they can 28 26 46 32 25 35 31 39 14 29 32 50 Need to do more 75 100 Need to do a lot more 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). 89 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? More Indigenous Australians want Businesses to do more in areas of health 2014 POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ Indigenous respondents 2016 Doing enough to help close the gap between non-Indigenous and Indigenous peoples in health? 10 21 5 12 0 20 37 29 25 Don't know 30 38 50 Should do nothing 26 75 Should do less 100 Private sector businesses 10 13 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations 5 11 0 Doing as much as they can 21 31 39 25 35 26 50 Need to do more 28 75 100 Need to do a lot more 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%). 90 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? We mostly think more needs to be done in areas of employment to close the gap POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ General community Indigenous respondents Doing enough to help close the gap between non-Indigenous and Indigenous peoples in employment? 14 12 36 13 13 14 30 23 28 11 24 0 34 28 25 Don't know 13 Community sector organisations 6 12 5 13 7 12 36 18 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations 35 18 Private sector businesses 35 50 Should do nothing Government departments 21 75 100 Should do less 4 13 28 42 20 34 39 18 Doing as much as they can 17 33 42 0 19 43 29 25 50 Need to do more 75 100 Need to do a lot more 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). 91 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? More Indigenous Australians believe their own organisations are doing as much as they can in areas of employment 2014 POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ Indigenous respondents Doing enough to help close the gap between non-Indigenous and Indigenous peoples in employment? 4 22 0 Don't know 33 25 34 50 Should do nothing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations 25 75 100 Should do less 5 13 0 Doing as much as they can 42 25 33 50 Need to do more 17 75 100 Need to do a lot more 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%). 92 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? Indigenous Australians more often feel they can’t be true to their culture or personal beliefs General community POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ Indigenous respondents Can you be true to your culture or personal beliefs in the following contexts? 0 8 23 68 In my interactions with Police or the Courts 5 28 66 In the general community 8 27 64 At work 8 29 63 In my interactions with Government departments 25 50 75 100 No, never 47 37 16 8 39 53 10 38 52 0 Only sometimes 46 41 13 25 50 75 100 Yes, always 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. 93 Q. Do you feel you can be true to 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 General community POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ Indigenous respondents Do you feel you have the right to raise your issues in the following contexts? 0 12 35 53 In my interactions with Police or the Courts 10 36 53 In my interactions with Government departments 12 36 52 11 37 51 At work 12 34 54 8 41 51 In the general community 11 38 25 50 75 No, never 100 Only sometimes 0 49 36 15 25 51 50 75 100 Yes, always 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 interactions with law and order officials (51%), than the general public (47%). 94 Q. If you feel unhappy about something, 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 General community POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ Indigenous respondents Do you feel you have the opportunity to raise your issues in the following contexts? 41 16 47 10 45 13 0 25 50 42 In my interactions with Police or the Courts 42 In the general community 41 In my interactions with Government departments 75 No, never 100 Only sometimes 40 41 19 38 49 13 36 48 15 0 44 41 14 At work 45 42 13 25 50 75 100 Yes, always 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). 95 Q. If you feel unhappy about something, do you feel you have the opportunity to raise your issues in the following contexts? More Indigenous Australians now feel empowered at work POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ 2014 Indigenous respondents 2016 Can you be true to your culture or personal beliefs in the following contexts? 10 44 In my interactions with Police or the Courts 46 16 37 47 Do you feel you have the right to raise your issues in the following contexts? 11 39 49 At work 12 34 8 44 47 In the general community 11 38 54 51 Do you feel you have the opportunity to raise your issues in the following contexts? 14 0 45 25 41 50 75 14 At work 100 No, never 0 Only sometimes 41 25 44 50 75 Yes, always 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. 96 100 I-islnicdm How much do we accept the wrongs of the past? 97 We remain divided on whether Indigenous people are responsible for their disadvantages today General community 2016 9 2014 10 23 0 Indigenous respondents 36 24 21 36 25 20 50 Strongly agree POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ 75 Agree 11 7 17 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are 10 responsible for their 10 own disadvantages today? 100 0 Neither agree or disagree 25 15 22 30 22 25 Disagree 29 50 23 75 100 Strongly disagree Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are disadvantaged today because of…? 2016 5 14 27 2014 6 12 30 2016 7 7 2014 0 17 38 38 30 14 Strongly disagree 75 100 Disagree 39 34 21 37 30 5 6 24 33 32 Australia's colonial legacy 11 19 5 7 14 32 50 Past racial policies 14 33 35 25 43 16 7 7 0 Neither agree or disagree 26 25 Agree 37 50 24 75 100 Strongly agree 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. 98 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? We widely agree that past policies have been a cause of many Indigenous disadvantages General community POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ Indigenous respondents Have past government policies been a cause of these disadvantages among some Indigenous Australians? 9 38 25 4 11 37 22 6 15 25 50 Strongly disagree 23 Alcohol and substance abuse 3 7 21 Discrimination 2 4 21 Poor education 3 5 19 38 26 5 12 0 31 21 16 75 Disagree Lack of respect (for Aboriginal and Torres Strait 2 3 Islander people) 100 19 17 19 Neither agree nor disagree 40 39 21 0 31 39 34 35 25 Agree 38 41 50 75 100 Strongly agree 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. 99 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? We widely agree that past policies have been a cause of many Indigenous disadvantages (cont.) General community POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ Indigenous respondents Have past government policies been a cause of these disadvantages among some Indigenous Australians? 6 14 0 25 36 19 Poor health 2 5 6 15 23 38 18 Low employment 2 4 5 14 26 38 17 Lack of confidence and low self esteem of Aboriginal and Torres 3 3 Strait Islander people 6 17 26 34 16 Inadequate living conditions 1 5 7 15 28 35 16 Lack of personal responsibility (among Aboriginal and Torres 3 9 Strait Islander people) 25 50 75 Strongly disagree 100 Disagree 0 Neither agree nor disagree 19 39 17 21 22 42 36 37 37 35 37 27 25 Agree 35 35 50 26 75 100 Strongly agree 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. 100 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? More of us now agree that past policies have been a cause of some Indigenous disadvantages POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ Have past government policies been a cause of these disadvantages among some Indigenous Australians? General community 2014 39 29 4 12 2016 15 Lack of respect (for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) 5 12 4 11 4 10 28 41 17 Discrimination 5 12 25 41 17 Poor education 6 15 22 Low employment 6 15 23 0 25 15 38 30 3 13 50 Strongly disagree 75 Disagree 100 0 Neither agree nor disagree 21 37 18 38 50 Agree 21 38 25 25 19 38 26 75 100 Strongly agree 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. 101 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? We mostly accept key facts about past injustices POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ Do we accept the following as facts? General community 12 21 68 Government policy enabled Aboriginal children to be removed from their families without permission until the 1970s 9 24 67 11 9 14 0 Indigenous respondents 25 64 33 29 25 50 18 17 65 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people did not have full voting rights throughout Australia until the 1960s 15 21 64 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians were subject to mass killings, incarceration, forced removal from land and restricted movement throughout the 1800s 17 18 65 23 63 58 Government policy in the 1900s dictated where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians could live and be employed 57 Australia was owned by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities at the time of colonisation in 1770 75 100 I do not accept this 13 9 0 I am unsure about this 71 20 25 I accept this 50 75 100 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. 102 Q. Do you accept or not accept the following as facts about Australia’s past? More of us now accept key facts about past injustices POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ Do we accept the following as facts? General community 2014 14 21 65 Government policy enabled Aboriginal children to be removed from their families without permission until the 1970s 11 25 64 14 10 12 21 68 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people did not have full voting rights throughout Australia until the 1960s 9 24 67 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians were subject to mass killings, incarceration, forced removal from land and restricted movement throughout the 1800s 11 25 9 33 28 59 35 55 Government policy in the 1900s dictated where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians could live and be employed 53 Australia was owned by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities at the time of colonisation in 1770 16 0 2016 31 25 50 75 100 I do not accept this 14 0 I am unsure about this 64 58 29 25 57 50 75 100 I accept this 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. 103 Q. Do you accept or not accept the following as facts about Australia’s past? More of us now agree it is important for all Australians to learn more about past issues General community 2016 3 10 2014 0 Indigenous respondents 44 4 11 50 Important for all Australians to learn more about the past issues of European settlement and 22 government policy for Indigenous people? 43 46 25 POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ 39 75 Not important at all 4 4 100 Fairly unimportant 0 Fairly important 24 72 26 25 66 50 75 100 Very important The general community continue to be far less likely to believe (43%) 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, 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. 104 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? Indigenous Australians are still more divided on whether past issues can be forgiven or not POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _____________________________ 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. General community 6 5 5 6 0 28 Indigenous respondents 61 23 66 25 50 75 2016 14 4 2014 14 4 100 0 39 44 37 25 45 50 75 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 105 Q. In terms of the history of European settlement in Australia, which of the following statements do you most agree with? 100 Respondent profiles Sample characteristics: POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _______________________________ Gender and age General community weighted % General community (raw numbers) Indigenous community weighted % 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 community weighted % General community (raw numbers) Indigenous community weighted % Indigenous community (raw numbers) Working full-time 35% 779 33% 147 Working part-time 19% 433 15% 77 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 Unemployed/not working 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% 107 Indigenous community (raw numbers) Sample characteristics: POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _______________________________ State General community weighted % General community (raw numbers) Indigenous 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 community weighted % General community (raw numbers) Indigenous community weighted % Indigenous community (raw numbers) 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 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 Indigenous community (raw numbers) Sample characteristics: POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _______________________________ Education level Part of secondary school General community weighted % General community (raw numbers) Indigenous community weighted % 5% 122 14% 71 Secondary school 24% 563 30% 140 TAFE / Apprenticeship 28% 659 30% 166 University degree Postgraduate university degree 30% 658 20% 93 12% 275 5% 30 Household income (gross) General community weighted % General community (raw numbers) Indigenous community weighted % Indigenous community (raw numbers) 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 14% 305 10% 51 Don’t know/prefer not to say 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% 109 Indigenous community (raw numbers) Sample characteristics: POLITY RESEARCH & CONSULTING _______________________________ Birth General community weighted % General community (raw numbers) Indigenous community weighted % Born in Australia 70% 1629 99% 496 Not born in Australia 30% 648 1% 4 Non-Indigenous 98% 2226 2% 51 100% 500 Australian Aboriginal / Torres Strait Islander Cultural heritage (nonIndigenous) General community weighted % General community (raw numbers) 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 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% 110 Indigenous community (raw numbers) POLITY PTY. LTD. RESEARCH & CONSULTING ______________________________________________________________________ Polityresearch.com.au Sydney; NSW 2010 ABN: 93 169 495 130