Reflecting the Diversity of Australia in a Culturally Diverse Region

1. Reflecting the Diversity of Australiain aCulturally Diverse Region Mike McCluskey CEO ABC Radio Australia

2. A Culturally Diverse Region • More than 50 countries in our region • Thousands of languages • Religious and cultural diversity • Complex histories from great cultural heritage to colonialism and independence • Economic diversity ranging from extreme poverty to extreme wealth • Emerging economies looking for opportunity and prosperity • Huge biodiversity and environmental concern varies enormously country to country • There is no single view in Asia or the Pacific

3. Awareness of our region from within Australia Australia’s closest neighbours - PNG and Indonesia How much do we really know about PNG? Indonesia? How much mainstream media coverage is there of wither country?

4. Awareness of our region from within Australia – PNG & Indonesia focus • PNG • 800 languages – huge diversity • Many people speak multiple languages • TokPisin, Motu, English • 6-7 million people • Many children do not attend school • HIV / Malaria / Hepatitis prevalent • Rugby League – loved • Indonesia • Over 210 million people • Most populous Muslim nation • Rapidly growing economy • 13,000 islands • Bahasa national language

5. The diversity of Australia • Australia is 52nd in population ranking – 13th biggest economy • 24% - nearly a quarter not born in Australia (many more have multicultural heritage) • Born in: • UK – 1.15m • NZ – 476,000 • Italy – 220,500 • China – 203,000 • Vietnam – 180,000 • India – 153,000 • Philippines – 135,000 • Speak another language • Mandarin – 472,000 • Italian – 316,000 • Greek – 252,000 • Arabic – 240,000 • Vietnamese – 200,000

6. The diversity of Australia – Asian • 1 in 10 Australians were born in Asia • 1 in 5 Australians has an Asian parent • 16.9% of Sydney residents were born in Asia • 16.8% of Melbourne residents were born in Asia • China is Australia’s largest trading partner

7. Australia – some vital statistics influencing how we are perceived • 6th largest country in area and have the third largest ocean territory • $Aud -6th most traded currency in the world – 13th largest donor of aid • 6th highest GDP per capita – (average income/ purchasing power) • Not a member of an Asian security alliance or economic block • Australia is a country whose recent history and traditional allies lie outside the region, but whose primary engagements are now predominantly within the region

8. Perceptions of Australia from Asia • Australia sits in Asia and the Pacific but is perceived by many in theregion as a European culture • Australia interferes too much in other countries • The Indian Media treatment of violence against Indian students blew the actual situation out of all proportion and demonstrated poor understanding of Australian society and values • In 2006 Lowy Institute found 25% of Indonesians could name the Australian PM and 77% felt Australian and Indonesian relationship very important • Australia contributes significantly to many Pacific economies, such as Tonga, Samoa, PNG and the awareness of Australia there is very large – is it reciprocated? Australia, Indonesia and the World PUBLIC OPINION AND FOREIGN POLICY Ivan Cook, Lowy Institute, 2006

9. Australia needs international media – public diplomacy In the developing Pacific and rapidly expanding Asia, Australia need’s its values and culture to be understood as it really is. Not as it is often perceived to be.

10. Australia needs international media – public diplomacy Perceptions of Australia from Asia may include - • Australia may be perceived as racist – boat asylum seekers – Indian students • Australian’s may be perceived as elitist – very wealthy • Europeans or European culture? • Not understanding Asian values • Mono-cultural, mono-linguistic • Australia was once the natural home for education and information in some Asian nations - now European nations, China, Japan, India and US are strongly competing