New study: Australians are increasingly intolerant

Especially towards Muslims, or people they believe to be Muslims. According to a new study from Monash University, the number of people with “negative views toward cultural diversity” is on the rise, and could be as high as 40% of the populace. Unsurprisingly, more than 40% of recent immigrants from Asia and South Asia report experiencing racial or religious discrimination in Australia. 

Asked if immigration makes Australia “stronger,” more than a quarter of Australians said no, and another quarter admitted having “negative feelings” toward immigrants from the Middle East – and given the way that people tend to under-report when asked about their attitudes about race, you can bet the real number is a good deal higher than 25%.

And, it would appear that that intolerance is being heard loud and clear on the world stage. From The Guardian:

Australia is one of the few countries where large-scale immigration is still popular; we are open to the world; but we aren’t as friendly any more.

“Department of Immigration surveys around 2000 were asking migrants what they most liked about Australia and the number one factor was ‘Australians being kind and friendly people’. Now that’s at the bottom of the list. And it’s the same result if you’re asking Indians, or Sri Lankans or New Zealanders. It’s coming in at number zero.”

Way to go, home team. Way to go.

Pic via TheConversation.com
Chloe Angyal knows Australia can do better.