Australia may be known as the “land of the ‘fair go’”, but many say the country is falling short when it comes to providing opportunities for all. While our 2021 Navigator survey showed that the “fair go” is one of the public’s most important aspirations, only 45% say the nation is doing a good job at it. Next25’s latest Navigator snapshot Providing a “Fair Go” for All investigates further through deep conversations with people across the nation. Read on for a speed briefing of the key findings and access the full snapshot via our website.
No matter where you come from or what your background is, most of us (76%) see the “fair go” as important to modern life in Australia. While the importance of this aspiration transcends Australia’s diverse society, our research uncovered ambiguity and conflicting views about how the “fair go” should look in practice. Almost all interviewees agreed that the “fair go” means “everyone is treated equally regardless of gender, race, and socio-economic status. Everyone gets the same treatment no matter their background.” However, some wondered whether getting a “fair go” should come with certain conditions. Others said it should be a basic right afforded to all, and many agreed that those who have more should give more.
“I think everyone should have a ‘fair go’ at the very least, but if you mean people like criminals and terrorists, well, I think they’ve basically lost their rights once they crossed that line. So I don’t believe they should get a ‘fair go’, because they haven’t given their victims a ‘fair go’” – Man, 30-39
“The conditionality [of the ‘fair go’] is consistently used in rhetoric by The Coalition. And to be honest, now Labor as well. And the ‘fair go’ should not be conditional” – Woman, 30-39
Interviewees recalled times they thought a “fair go” had been given, such as free university education, gender quotas in workplaces, and marriage equality. But today, only one in eight people we interviewed said they believe a “fair go” exists for all people in Australia. Many reflected on how factors such as wealth, education, ethnicity, race, and gender can influence the opportunities afforded to a person in this country. Case in point – our research shows those who are more highly educated and earn a higher income are more likely to say Australia is performing well on the “fair go”.
“People starting from a low socio-economic background, including First Nations people and immigrants, are not given an equal chance to participate. If you don’t have money, you don’t get the best education or access to experiences that will help you achieve things” – Woman, 20-29
“There are a lot of systemic issues that prevent everyone having access to a ‘fair go’” – Woman, 20-29
So, if the “fair go” is elusive in modern Australia – was it ever truly available to all? While the phrase is considered by many as a core tenet of Australia’s identity, others see it as nothing more than a myth. Some compare it to Australia’s identification with the idea of “mateship”, saying “there is such a gap between what actually happens and what we hold dear” (Woman, 50-59). But even if Australia’s perception of the “fair go” is romanticised – or even intangible – the espoused values of equity and opportunity can set a useful agenda for improving the nation. The nation is calling for a revitalisation of the “fair go” to reclaim it as more than just “an overused slogan”.
“It requires a shift in the system to try and understand how you revitalise the ‘fair go’, held in the heart as it were. If you’re not willing, if you don’t have the political will or imagination to do that, then you could arguably say it’s just a slogan, and it has no meaning” – Man, unspecified
There is an opportunity to reflect on our national values and think about how we can do better at providing a “fair go” for all. From individuals to institutions, each of us has a role to play in Australia’s future. The “fair go” is still held in the hearts and minds of many, but as a country, we are failing to deliver. Will we step up and work harder at this? Or will the “fair go” eventually fade away from our national psyche? To find out more, you can access the full snapshot on our website.
Our next Navigator survey will shed light on whether attitudes towards the “fair go” change over time, so be sure to subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook to stay up to date with our work.