Controversy when Studying Australian History

Australian history is essential in learning institutions worldwide as it enables students to appreciate culture, political evolution, and the decisions made within the country. Within its history, the Aboriginals and Strait communities are of interest to historians as they have a rich sense of culture, even to date, which interests various economic sectors before decisions are made. Controversy has been a key element in understanding and breaking down Australian history. Through this style, various historians have explained in depth the political events within the country, their consequences, and their strengths and weaknesses. Controversy, which reflects the balance between knowledge and people's firm beliefs, has affected the analysis of Australia's history differently, as has been analyzed by various historians globally.

The Whitlam dismissal is one of such notable political stories within Australia’s history. Whitlam has served as Australia's governor for less than three years and has championed some of the greatest legal reforms within the country, including the abolition of death penalties and setting up legal aid within various states (Whitlam & Gibbs 1995). His dismissal from office was due to his resolve not to back down from office and make changes to electoral posts within his position (Whitlam & Gibbs 1995). The truth of the events that facilitated his dismissal can be explained by controversies since there were meetings and signs of his dismissal before it occurred. Still, most narrations are from people's beliefs of what truly happened. Such reforms and positive changes, including popularity within the population, could not be explained by Sir Kerr, who dismissed Whitlam from office three years after he had appointed him (Whitlam & Gibbs 1995). Decades after this dismissal, historians and political scientists argue whether the decision made was just. In Kerr's defense, it would have been impossible to pass legislative bills through the Senate, rendering Whitman's office irrelevant. In Whitlam's strong governance, he had more members in the House of Parliament than in the Senate, which controlled the number of bills he could pass depending on the legislators involved (Whitlam & Gibbs 1995). His government was rendered weak when several people within his leadership were found in compromising scandals, after which Whitman failed to make electoral plans to make these relevant adjustments. This decision was controversial since it reflected prior discontentment by various key players in Australian politics at the dismissal time, making the action look more like a coup than a necessary legislative decision (Whitlam & Gibbs 1995). Therefore, Whitman’s government dismissal is one of the historical events that have had controversial interpretations from various historians due to the uncertainties of the events that caused the dismissal.

Multiculturalism, involving the diverse cultures within Australia, and immigration, are some topics that have attracted controversial interpretations from historians and political analysts. Australia has a wide range of cultures with different beliefs and practices. Immigrants face issues of access to proper healthcare, education, safe water and settlements, and employment, among other issues (Stokes 2000). These two factors have, however, influenced legislation in the country, including media legislation set up to encourage diversity and inclusivity for all citizens. For immigrants, the laws set up to protect them include defense against unjust treatment, harassment, and public discrimination (Stokes 2000). This country's diversity has raised culture shocks, and conspiracy since different cultures have to accept each other to coexist within the country. Some of these conspiracies include the feelings people may express when they meet immigrants or citizens not belonging to their culture, without ignoring the knowledge they have about these cultures. Additionally, the conspiracy may be evident when government offices have constricting rules for immigrants, like revoking visa cards and making access to proper healthcare and better services difficult (Stokes 2000). The concern becomes whether the country is multicultural, allowing immigrants to live and work there while having harsh political conditions for their existence. Therefore, the conspiracy in Australia around multiculturalism and immigration is caused by a conflict between the laws set up and the treatment citizens and immigrants face within the country.

The purpose of conscription within Australia, which caused contention was for the government to enlist soldiers that would engage in the Vietnam war. The government had set up laws that demanded 20-year-old men enlist and later engage in war. This had been followed up by the voluntary registration of men to be sent to war in their country's loyalty (Milner 1915). The plea for conscription was an attempt to reduce the intensity of soldiers being sent to war as a government requirement and enroll soldiers who had volunteered to engage in the war. The controversy behind this plea during the second world war was analyzed as the beginning of tyranny and undemocratic leadership within Australia, where leaders would set up rules and have their subjects follow the rules without asking questions or demonstrating rebellion (Milner 1915). The conspiracy here was clear since Australia had communicated its attempt to fight similar tyranny it was demanding in France. Many citizens expressed dissatisfaction with how soldiers were chosen, demanding that the process would have been more beneficial if it was conducted fairly, having a census carried out on the men whom the masses would have preferred to enlist for the war (Milner 1915). Therefore, the conscription era was marked by great conspiracy since Australia demonstrated tyranny it had earlier wanted to fight.Conspiracy has been applied in Australian history to understand some important decisions and legislations made within the country. During Whitman’s era, conspiracy proved weak since there was no clarity on the events leading up to the dismissal. However, controversial strength is shown in trying to prove the reality of multiculturalism and immigration in the country. Finally, the political analysis of the conscription within the country proved the existing conflict between the government’s supposed beliefs and its subsequent actions.

References

Milner, Lord (1915) ‘A Plea for Conscription.’ The Argus 10th July, (pp.5). https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1535266

Stokes, Geoffrey, and One Nation. "Australian Populism'." The Rise and Fall of One Nation', UQP (2000): 23. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=86mKZvQzURkC&oi=fnd&pg=PA23&dq=One+Nation+and+the+People%27s+Populism&ots=qczgazj2ns&sig=AE6JhOXXmhXRuul__FLaw4YIW8w

Whitlam, E.G & Gibbs, Sir Harry (1995) Eleventh of November Nineteen Seventy-Five. Australian Lawyer, 30(11), 9-10. ISSN 1039-8775.