Answer To: ‘Australians don’t talk much about class anymore. It doesn’t really fit with the egalitarian view we...
Robert answered on Dec 26 2021
Equality Justice and Fairness in Australia
Equality Justice and Fairness in Australia 2017
Introduction
Australia must have been a land of dreams for many, according to Stilinovic, “a country has
diverse landscapes, diverse culture, a high quality life and provides lot of opportunities for
anyone who is willing to „have a go‟ (Stilinovic, 2017). Australia is known to have thriving
economy but the wealth, income and opportunities are not evenly spread in the country. There is
a visible difference between the poor Australians and those who have enough. The people are
discriminated one every front, they do not get equality in justice, in work opportunities and even
in education.
The situation is so grim in the country that wide gap is created between the citizens of the
country and those who have migrated there. The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates that
the 44% of the national household wealth rest in the hands of the 10% Australians, the wealthiest
20% owe 61% of the share and the 20% poor are just left with the 1% of the share (Bureau,
2015). This gap between the rich and the poor gives the clear indication of the social inequality
persisting in the country. Unfortunately this gap between the different classes of the society is
widening from past few decades.
The above statistics indicate the disparity in the Australian society, the country ranks 7
th
in terms
of unequal distribution of wealth in the world as reported by OECD in 2011 (OECD, 2011).
There is constantly rising disparity in Australia. Many immigrants here live the life of their
dream while others face the wrath of anger as said by Helen Szoke, “The Land of the fair go is
an illusion for many migrants. It can only become a reality with practical initiatives that break
through the systematic and often internalized racism that still exists” (Szoke, 2008). The issue of
Equality Justice and Fairness in Australia 2017
equality, justice and fairness in Australia is alarming, the people from different culturally and
linguistically diverse background face racial discrimination in Australia.
Racial Discrimination and Injustice
Ironically, racial discrimination is a prominent reason behind a lot of job rejections in Australia
due to which a well developed and tough legal system becomes necessity. The legal system
within any country helps to regulate the society and maintains the decorum. The country has
federal system of government and the State Parliament. The legal system of Australia is founded
on the concept of rule of law, justice, equality and fairness (Richard Colin Chisholm, 2012).
Under this every individual should be treated equally without any discrepancy and can avail
same rights and opportunities.
The legal system thus ensures fairness while giving justice butt this is just on papers as the
reality is far from truth. Fairness in Australia aims to achieve equal outcome for all people for
example under the legal system of the country it is appropriate to handle the proceedings in a
different manner for the people with disability and diverse background. Example a Judge takes
into consideration the background and history of a person to give a fair judgment. Such practice
deters the purpose of giving fair judgment and due to which the one who are not the true resident
of the country have to be bear the burden.
Justice is a predominant feature in the Australian Legal System, it is the combination of equality,
access, fairness and human rights. A just decision therefore reflects ethics and values of the
society, it believes in fair treatment to all. Equality and fairness go hand in hand, equality reflects
in fairness but the same is not always applicable under the Australian system. Fairness, equality
and justice in Australia is often seem to be achieved through the principle of “One Law for All”
Equality Justice and Fairness in Australia...