Australia: A Model of Diversity Management?

Australia is one of the most attractive countries in the world and is one of the top destinations for immigrants, a large part of which are French. However, Australia deserves attention for more than one reason. Even though Australia follows the liberal model of the welfare state, it has developed family policies and poverty reduction policies that differ from those of other Anglo-Saxon countries. Furthermore, Australia was shaped by colonization and immigration and is today a point of reference in terms of handling ethnic diversity and policy fairness. This issue of Informations Sociales presents analyses of Australian family and social policies and explains why they could be a model for OECD countries. The first part of this issue looks at the Australian welfare state and what makes it different from systems in other Anglo-Saxon countries. It analyzes social aspects and instruments aiming at reducing market-induced inequalities, including the reduction of income inequality through a system of wealth redistribution to the poor. The second part of the issue studies multiculturalism as a dimension of egalitarianism. The recognition of differences has been underlying public policies since the beginning of the 1970s. Several articles in this section deal with policies aiming to reduce inequality among Australian Aborigines. Finally, the third part looks at family policy. Australia has a high fertility rate, which could be explained in part by public policies promoting mothers’ employment and a balance between work and family life.