Multiculturalism and the Political Left in Australia: An Exceptional Case?

This chapter discusses key features of the Australian case, focusing on the federal or national scene. In doing so, it addresses three questions of interest to the comparative study of multiculturalism. First, does having a history of supporting multiculturalism have any effect on the political left’s current electoral fortunes? Second, is the left’s pro-diversity discourse dependent on it being in government? Thirdly, and most crucially, does the health and vitality of multiculturalism depend on the left being in power? The chapter argues that the special relationship this book posits between the centre-left and multiculturalism applies to Australia only with some serious qualifications but that, at least at the federal level, the Australian case follows the general pattern and thesis of this book, albeit taking longer to materialise.