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🇦🇺 Australia /Culture & Society

Australia: A divided nation's voice sought in new ABC project

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A new project, ABC Your Say, invites Australians to share their issues, challenges, and opportunities for eight weeks starting July 19.
  • While many Australians report declining life satisfaction and concerns about the future, migrants from non-English speaking countries often express more positive views.
  • The initiative aims to include diverse voices in the national conversation, particularly from those feeling unheard amid cost-of-living pressures and political disillusionment.

For some in Australia, life satisfaction is falling, and hope is fading amid rising costs and political disillusionment. A recent poll found 6.22 out of 10 Australians felt their life satisfaction had dropped, with three in five believing life was better 50 years ago. Support for alternative parties like One Nation is growing as people feel disconnected from mainstream politics.

Proud. Amazing. Freedom. Supportive. Happiness. Perfection.

— Sulaiman ZandinanSulaiman Zandinan describes his feelings about Australia.

However, not all residents share this outlook. Sulaiman Zandinan, a 23-year-old refugee who arrived in Australia at 15, expressed deep pride and gratitude for his life in the country. He described Australia as "Proud. Amazing. Freedom. Supportive. Happiness. Perfection." Zandinan, who teaches English in Toowoomba, Queensland, is an outlier among those polled who reported declining life satisfaction.

A study from the Australian National University found that migrants from non-English speaking countries, like Zandinan, reported more positive attitudes toward Australia, even while facing greater economic vulnerability. This contrasts with the broader Australian population, where dissatisfaction with the country's direction is rising.

I'm so proud of Australia and the amazing people and beautiful laws and everything. I'm proud of every single moment that I spend in this amazing country.

— Sulaiman ZandinanSulaiman Zandinan expresses his gratitude for living in Australia.

In response to these sentiments, ABC News has launched "ABC Your Say," a project designed to give Australians a platform to voice their concerns and aspirations. The initiative runs for eight weeks, from July 19 to September 12, encouraging submissions on issues shaping communities nationwide. The goal is to foster a national conversation and ensure that the concerns of all Australians are heard.

We want you, the audience, to be part of the national conversation and tell us what matters most to you.

— ABC NewsABC News explains the purpose of the 'ABC Your Say' project.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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