Australia today

Since the first European settlers arrived in Botany Bay over two hundred years ago, Australia has grown expedientially into the multicultural society it is today. Although politically it is a part of the British Commonwealth, culturally it is a diverse mix of traditions from the Aboriginal founders, Asia, Europe and the Far East. Of Australia's population of 18.5 million, 40 percent are first or second generation migrants, mostly from Europe and Asia.

Over the last 30 years the disadvantage experienced by Indigenous people has become a topic of national concern for Australians, many of whom are now campaigning to help bring about reconciliation. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are among the most disadvantaged people in Australian society - many of their problems stemming from colonisation, dispossession from their lands and forced marginalisation. Reconciliation was brought to the public arena when the High Court made its historic Mabo judgment in 1992. Eddie Mabo and four other Torres Strait Islanders asked for legal acknowledgment of their traditional native title rights to their island, Mer. In a landmark judgment, the High Court invalidated the misleading notion of "terra nullius" and recognised native title within the common law of Australia.

Australia Day is celebrated every year on the 26th January, and has become a day for special events encouraging the participation of the entire family and all members of the community. There is a greater understanding of the need to celebrate modern Australia - a land of diversities and a nation responding to the challenges of globalisation.

Today, Australia is still discovering and shaping its identity.