Blog Topic #2 -- Whats up with Australia?

Before I begin this topic, apprantly today (Jan 26) is "Australia Day" so happy Australia day everyone :)  Australia Day is a celebration commenorating the landing of the first fleet of settlers (most of which were prisoners) near modern day Sydney.  Since I knew nothing of how Australia Day is celebrated, I looked up an article concerning this year's Australia Day on the Sydney Morning Herald website. 

http://www.smh.com.au/national/a-perfect-day-for-coming-together-in-australias-melting-pot-20110126-1a5ep.html

The article told of how some people enjoyed the day with events such as participating in an ocean swim, watching Aborigines present traditional stories and music, or simply enjoying a relaxing day at the beach.  For others, however, it held more significance as new citizens of the country were welcomed in with a Bar-B-Que.  The new citizens came from many different areas of the world on many different walks of life adding to the "melting pot" as Australians call it.  However, Australian immigration has not always been so diverse.  Until 1973, Australia had a White Australian Policy that promoted the immigration of Europeans and North Americans while strictly limiting nonwhite immigration.  Now, people from all over the world are immigrating to Australia creating a diverse multicultural character.

One of the things that really stood out to me in the article, however, was the fact that the Aborigines were included in the festivities allowing them to tell their traditional stories through word, dance, and song.  One women commented that "it is important for us all to come together on this day."  In fact, Aborigines rights have been improving steadily over the years.  Many live in cities the same as all the other citizens of the country.  Political rights are being granted to them and more control over sacred parklands, such as Uluru Rock, has been given to the Aborigines.  They too are part of the "melting pot" of Australian bringing in their influence, knowledge, culture, and traditions.  They too are an important part of the Australia Day celebration, same as any other citizen.
(pages 646 and 655)

Australia Day celebrates the immigration and settlement of the first European settlers.  So I decided to also see if there were any articles concerning recent or past immigration.  The article I found was somewhat shocking.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/while-immigration-drops-businesses-are-crying-out-for-more-staff-20101206-18mxo.html

It would seem that although people are moving to Australia, more are leaving than coming.  In fact, the melting pot is shrinking to the point that businesses are having trouble finding workers.  In direct opposite to the US's problems, Australia's job market is growing with unemployment rates at only around 5% and expected to decrease.  The problem may not lie with people emmigrating, however, but perhaps with lack of people immigrating.  According to the article, this past year had the lowest immigration rate since March 2004.  My textbook states that a minority was pushing for more restrictive immigration policies due to unacceptance of the cultural mosaic.  The changes brought to the melting pot were possibly not beneficial in their eyes.  In fact, more that 2.5 million residents of Australia speak another language besides English.  Another changing factor is the growing diverse religious aspects.  Although I don't know for sure (but I could research it) it might be possible that more restricitive immigration laws have been inforced causing fewer people to be attracted to immigrating there.  It could also merely be a lag that will soon repair itself.  (page 646)

That's about it for now...Happy Australia Day!