Australia Fair

SBS Audio

Australia is often touted as one of the 'most successful multicultural countries on the planet' - but are we really? While today more than half of all Australians have a parent born overseas, Australia has a weird and troubled immigration history that dates back to The White Australia Policy and beyond. Host Janak Rogers takes a look at key moments in Australia’s migration story and unpacks the nation's thorny relationship with race.

  1. EPISODE 1

    1. 'Alien and Servile Characters'

    In the debut episode of Australia Fair, host Janak Rogers examines the contradictions in Australia's identity as a multicultural nation with a history of racism. Drawing from his experiences growing up in 1980s Sydney, Janak explores how Australia's colonial past and policies like the White Australia policy have shaped the country's approach to race and immigration. Featuring insights from experts like Jacqui Katona, Tim Soutphommasane, and Abul Rizvi, the episode delves into the brutal impact of colonialism on First Nations people and the economic and racial motivations behind policies that aimed to maintain a white majority. The discussion highlights how these historical practices continue to influence modern Australia, from cultural symbols to ongoing debates about race and belonging.

    31 min

  2. EPISODE 2

    2. 'The Golden Race'

    How did we get to the White Australia policy in the first place? In Episode 2 of Australia Fair, host Janak Rogers dives into the long and turbulent history of Australia’s relationship with China. From today’s sensational media coverage stoking fears of Chinese invasion to the discriminatory fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, the episode explores how these issues intersect with Australia's historical prejudices and contemporary anxieties. We delve into the dark legacy of anti-Chinese sentiment from the Gold Rush era, tracing its influence on policies like the White Australia policy and its modern manifestations. Featuring interviews with filmmaker Corrie Chen, historians Natalie Fong and Anna Kyi and more, Janak tries to upack the complex relationship between Australia and China, and reflect on the historical roots that continue to shape our nation's approach to race and immigration.

    29 min

  3. EPISODE 3

    3. The White Australia Game

    Episode 3 of Australia Fair looks at the halcyon period of the White Australia. Once the White Australia Policy kicked in after Federation in 1901, things sailed along until the Second World War. Most Australians firmly believed that maintaining a homogeneous White population was crucial, and mechanisms like the dictation test were notoriously rigged to prevent non-white individuals from entering Australia. But the White Australia policy also impacted non-white people already in the country. Across the Federation period, South Sea Islanders were ‘blackbirded’ to Australia. Often tricked or forced into indentured labour, many then settled and built lives in Australia and were forcibly deported following the implementation of the policy. We also look at today’s Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, which brings workers from Pacific Islands to Australia for low-skilled, seasonal work. Critics argue that this scheme mirrors past injustices, drawing comparisons to blackbirding and modern-day slavery due to reported exploitation and poor working conditions.

    29 min

  4. EPISODE 4

    4. 'Populate or Perish'

    The Second World War changed everything — or mostly everything. In Episode 4 of Australia Fair, host Janak Rogers dives into the complexities of Australia's post-war immigration policies and their impact on diverse migrants. Janak’s parents were a British ex-soldier and an Indian diplomat’s daughter who met on a trip to the Taj Mahal and later migrated to Australia. But their journey to Australia was thanks to the benign-sounding, but clearly racially driven, Assisted Passage Migration Scheme. The scheme allowed British immigrants, known as "ten pound poms," to settle in Australia for just £10. The episode explores the origins of this migration scheme, tied to Australia's post-war fears and the "Populate or Perish" policy. Hear how Australia’s immigration policy evolved from a strictly racial preference to a more inclusive, albeit imperfect, approach.

    34 min

  5. EPISODE 5

    5. 'Boat People'

    By the 1970s, things are changing rapidly. Australia finally abandons the official White Australia policy, and start welcome in significant numbers of people from Asia. In episode 5 of Australia Fair, host Janak Rogers delves into the complex journey of Vietnamese refugees and their impact on Australian society. In the tumultuous days of April 1975, as Saigon fell to North Vietnamese forces, countless Vietnamese fled. The arrival of the first Vietnamese boat people in Australia in 1976 marked the beginning of a significant shift in the nation’s demographic and cultural landscape. Despite the initially warm reception, the growing Vietnamese community soon faced challenges and discrimination. Figures like Pauline Hanson built a powerful political party initially by attacking Asian immigration, and by the 80s communities in Cabramatta became a by-word for drug and gang violence. Hear from Dai Le, the first person with a Vietnamese refugee background to be elected to Federal parliament, as well as lawyer and emerging leader Tu Le, and Lam Tac Tam, one of the first Vietnamese refugees to ever arrive in Australia.

    29 min

  6. EPISODE 6

    6. 'We Will Decide'

    In Episode 6 of Australia Fair, host Janak Rogers tackles the tumultuous evolution of Australia’s refugee policies, tracing their origins back to the 2001 Tampa affair and the events of 9/11. This episode captures the heated protests at Woomera Detention Centre during Easter 2002, when activists clashed with authorities, and examines how these moments of crisis catalysed harsh new immigration policies under Prime Minister John Howard. As the show navigates the fallout from these events, including the notorious "children overboard" scandal, it explores the ongoing impacts on asylum seekers and the political landscape. Featuring voices from prominent figures like Behrouz Boochani, who spent years detained on Manus Island, and refugees still struggling with limbo under current policies, this episode offers a close look at the legacy of Australia’s immigration policies and the deep-seated issues surrounding them.

    31 min

  7. EPISODE 7

    7. 'Ganging up'

    In recent years, African Australian communities have become one of the more visible newly arrived migrant communities in Australia. With their arrival has come a heated narrative about African ‘gangs’ and crime waves, stoked by familiar fears with roots in Australia’s racist past. In Episode 7 of Australia Fair, host Janak Rogers chats with activist and storyteller Bol Mayan, who runs the Seed Network to amplify African Australian voices; Mariam Koslay, a writer and filmmaker; and Jim Malo, a journalist examining race and media. This episode explores how sensational media coverage, particularly around events like the 2018 Moomba Festival brawl, COVID-19 lockdowns in Melbourne’s public housing towers, and the entrenched ‘African gangs’ coverage has affected Australia’s African diaspora communities.

    30 min

  8. EPISODE 8

    8. Now what…

    In the season finale of Australia Fair, host Janak Rogers tackles the profound effects of the Israel-Gaza conflict on Australia's social fabric. This episode highlights the surge in anti-Semitic and Islamophobic incidents, focusing on the fallout from former Labor Senator Fatima Payman’s outspoken criticism of Israel, which led to her resignation from parliamentary committees and departure from the Labor Party. The discussion extends to the strain on Australia's multicultural cohesion, with experts like Dr. Max Kaiser analysing the rising racial tensions and immigration debates. We reflect on Australia’s progress towards inclusivity and the essential work needed to address the deeper issues of multiculturalism and foster a truly united society - including the reconciliation journey with Australia's Indigenous communities. Activists and scholars, including Jacqui Katona, emphasise the need for genuine reconciliation with Indigenous Australians and a redefined approach to multiculturalism that acknowledges historical and ongoing injustices.

    33 min
See All Season 1 (8)

About

Australia is often touted as one of the 'most successful multicultural countries on the planet' - but are we really? While today more than half of all Australians have a parent born overseas, Australia has a weird and troubled immigration history that dates back to The White Australia Policy and beyond. Host Janak Rogers takes a look at key moments in Australia’s migration story and unpacks the nation's thorny relationship with race.

Information

  • Channel
    SBS Audio
  • Creator
    SBS
  • Episodes
    9
  • Seasons
    1
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025, Special Broadcasting Services
  • Show Website
    Australia Fair

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