When Equality Becomes Unequal: The Quiet Return of Racism in Australia

Australia has twice gone to the polls to deal with racism in our laws — the landmark 1967 referendum and, more recently, the referendum on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament. In both cases, Australians made one point unmistakably clear: we do not want race to determine how our society treats people.

Yet here we are, with more race-based distinctions than ever.

Today, governments at every level, universities, corporations and even public hospitals routinely ask whether you are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander — and what follows is often different treatment. It may be called “special measures” or “closing the gap,” but the reality is simple:
if you treat people differently based on race, that is racism.

Some argue it is “positive discrimination.” But discrimination in favour of one race always means discrimination against another. That is the opposite of equality — and it breeds resentment. Australians do not want two classes of citizen. We do not want an apartheid-style divide where ancestry determines access, priority or rights. Yet that is exactly the trajectory we are on.

The intention may be good — but the principle is wrong

Addressing real disadvantage is important and necessary. But you don’t need race-based policies to do that.
If someone is struggling — help them.
If someone lacks access to education or healthcare — support them.
But make that support based on need, not bloodline.

Imagine how much stronger and more united Australia would be if assistance flowed to every person facing disadvantage, regardless of their heritage.

What Australians voted for

In 1967, the nation overwhelmingly chose to remove racial distinctions and bring all Australians under equal laws. More recently, Australians again said race should not be the basis for political power or structural advantage. These were not votes against Indigenous Australians. They were votes for one Australia, not two.

It is time our institutions respected that message.

The path back to unity

To rebuild social cohesion, we must:

• Stop asking people their race as a routine requirement

• Remove race as a condition for services, preference or funding

• Address disadvantage wherever it exists — equally

• Uphold equality before the law as a lived principle, not just a slogan

If we continue to divide people by ancestry, we should not be surprised when animosity grows. Race-based policies, no matter how well-intentioned, ultimately separate us.

Australians have twice rejected racism. Now we must ensure our governments and institutions do the same.

One nation. One people. Equal treatment — no exceptions.