Queensland Government
Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services
Image of a barometer

A new social barometer shows improved relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and that most Australians are optimistic about the future.

The Australian Reconciliation Barometer provides a detailed snapshot of the views of Australians about reconciliation and tracks how Indigenous and other Australians feel about each other.

Reconciliation Australia Co-Chair Prof. Mick Dodson said the research showed attitudes were generally positive.

"The data from the barometer provides an indication of where Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians are currently positioned in relation to each other," he said.

Key findings of the 2010 Australian Reconciliation Barometer:

  • 87% of all Australians agree the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians is important and 48% say it is improving
  • 58% of Indigenous people agree the apology has improved the relationship
  • The general community’s knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures is fairly low (only 39%)
  • 4 out of 5 Australians believe it is important to know about Indigenous history and culture and are open to learning more
  • 91% of Indigenous Australians believe past policies still affect Indigenous people
  • 59% of all Australians believe in the special place of Indigenous people, connection to the land and family relationships but only 44% say Indigenous people are open to sharing their culture
  • only 9% of Indigenous people and 16% of the general population think the media presents a balanced view of Indigenous Australians
  • just 9% of all Australians feel that trust between the two groups is good

There was also a strong acknowledgment, particularly from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (93%), that there are high levels of prejudice between the two groups.

The first barometer was conducted in 2008 five months after the Apology to the Stolen Generations when there was a strong feeling of optimism within the sample groups.

An encouraging finding is the fact that Indigenous respondents are less likely to believe they are disadvantaged or affected by race-based policies of the past. There was a 10% drop from 35% in 2008 to 25% in 2010.

To read the full barometer.