Guide 3 to NSW State Archives relating to Responsible Government - OCR - Flipbook - Page 218
A Guide to New South Wales State Archives relating to Responsible Government
Part 4. Responsible Government
Towards the Sesqui-Centenary,
1957-2006
By the 1960s the face of New South Wales was changing socially as non-British
migration began to alter the sounds, look and character of urban Australia. However,
social policy lagged behind this change with relatively little recognition of or provision for
the increasingly multicultural character of the State. "But the old Anglo-Celtic character
and traditional values and prejudices were losing their hold; women were entering the
workforce in increased numbers; university and tertiary education were becoming
available for more than the privileged; television, modern communications and
international travel were also contributing to a growing cosmopolitan awareness; a new
Americanised youth culture was emerging; and new, less complacent attitudes were
appearing. especially amongst the educated young.i1
The period of the Vietnam War through to the Bicentenary of European settlement in
1988 was a time of fundamental social and economic, scientific and technological change
in New South Wales and elsewhere. In addition to the protest movements against the
Vietnam War and conscription, social change encompassed the women's movement,
environmental activism, sexual liberation, disability awareness, anti-discrimination,
heritage and conservation awareness, political cynicism, and the abandonment of the
White Australia Policy which had effectively precluded Asian immigration for six decades.
Television, satellites, improved telecommunications, new personal computer
technology, jet aircraft and cheaper fares transmitted people, ideas and movements
faster than ever within and beyond Australia as well as exposing people more to the
realities of war, terrorism, environmental problems and international crises. The world
was changing rapidly and, just as rapidly, so was our awareness of it.2
With the celebration of the Bicentenary of European settlement in 1988, and the many
significant achievements in that period, some societal problems and challenges were also
highlighted, such as reconciliation with Aboriginal Australians. Others were: Sydney had
become multicultural but citizens from non-English speaking backgrounds rarely took
major roles in political affairs; while the status and role of women had altered
significantly over a previous decade or so, the number of women in politics and senior
management was only beginning to change; social problems (drugs, youth
unemployment, poverty and crimes of violence) seemed to be on the increase; law and
order had become popular planks at election time; and, Australia was becoming part of
an increasingly global economy and society where governments had less control over
events.3
The Parliament has had to respond to these changing environments by the passage of
legislation reflecting the social changes — eg more liberal laws governing shopping and
drinking hours, law reform, consumer protection and anti-pollution measures.
1 see 1939-65 - War and Post-War on
, the website of the
Parliament of New South Wales
2
see 1966 to 1988 - From Vietnam to Bicentenary: Social and Economic Change on
, the website of the Parliament of New South Wales
Ibid
State Records Authority of New South Wales
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