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Anti-Australian sentiment

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Anti-Australian sentiment (also known as Australophobia or Anti-Australianism) refers to animosity, criticism, or prejudice towards Australia, its culture, or Australians in general. Anti-Australian sentiment can arise from various factors including differences in religion, events outlined in the History of Australia, its domestic or foreign policies or its involvement in various conflicts such as World War 1 or World War 2.

The antonym for an Australophobe is an Australophile, which refers to the appreciation, love, or admiration for Australia.

History

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One of the earliest references to the specific phrase "Anti-Australian sentiment" occurred in 1883 in relation to the imperial British governments dismissal of concerns by Australian colonies over areas not annexed by Britain falling into control of foreign powers threatening the region. On 4 April 1883, the colony of Queensland annexed East New Guinea, and took possession of whole of the Island with exception the portion in occupation of the Dutch, the imperial British government disapproved of the annexation leading to accusations of "Anti-Australian sentiments".[1][2] The German Empire established German New Guinea in part of the same area a year later in 1884. In 1884, German newspaper Nord deutsche Zeitung, a newspaper that was closely aligned with and voiced the views of the Imperial German Government, published anti-Australian views and urged the French government to annoy Australian colonies by sending convicts in large numbers to the French territory of New Caledonia.[3]

The term "anti-Australian" also predates the specific phrase "Anti-Australian sentiment" by decades first being mentioned in the early 1800s in relation to the actions by the imperial British government in governing the Australian colonies and soon later about the views of the British public on Australian society and convicts.[4][5] The 20th century saw a rise of the term used in relation to the White Australia policy. By 1949, people in parts of Africa and Asia were said to have "anti-Australian feeling" over how Australia applied its White Australia policy.[6]

By Country

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Germany

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In 1884, German newspaper Nord deutsche Zeitung, a newspaper that was closely aligned with and voiced the views of the Imperial German Government, published anti-Australian views and urged the French government to send convicts in large numbers to the French territory of New Caledonia, to exploit concerns by Australian colonies over foreign powers threatening the region by annexing areas not under British control.[3]

East Timor

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Protesters in Brisbane protesting Australia's claim on East Timorese oil, May 2017

Anti-Australian sentiment grew within East Timor, during the period of the Timor Gap Treaty which was signed during the Indonesian occupation of East Timor. The sentiment was further intensified by the political and economic issues between East Timor and Australia, particularly over oil and gas resources within the Timor Sea, which sparked major protests.[7]

Indonesia

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Indonesia has been alleged to have a rise in "anti-Australian sentiment" because of suggestions of Australia interfering in its internal affairs.[8] A 2003 study on Indonesian aspirants for a diplomatic position reported that 95% of them had anti-Australian sentiment.[9] The post-Suharto era period also saw anti-Australian sentiment in Indonesia over East Timor.[10] In Indonesia, it is related to a generalised anti-Western sentiment.

The Australian intervention in East Timor still made the Indonesian government upset and led to it taking revenge on Australia by undermining the Australian interest in the country.[11]

A 2006 public opinion poll conducted by the Lowy Institute, an Australian foreign relations think tank, found that Indonesians rated their views towards Australia at 51 degrees, on a scale between 0 and 100 degrees ranging from "very unfavourable" to "very warm".[12] In 2012 a public opinion poll conducted again by the Lowy Institute using the same metric found that Indonesians rated their views towards Australia as 62 degrees.[13] This polling also found that just under a third of Indonesians saw Australia as a potential threat to their country.[12]

Among Indo people

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Anti-Australian sentiments among Indo-Dutch people grew in Java in late 1945 and early 1946 because of the holdup by Australians of a "mercy ship" with stores and medical supplies for internees in Java following the end of World War II. This sentiment was also worsened by the delay of lorries and agricultural machinery from Australia to help with the distribution of food and re-establishment of cultivation. Another issue that raised anti-Australian sentiments for Indo people was the landing of the steamship HMAS Mancoora from Australia in February 1946, carrying 700 Native Indonesians home to Java instead of carrying medical supplies and food.[14]

2002 Bali bombings

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The 2002 Bali bombings, which killed 202 people, including 88 Australians[15][16] and injured at least a further 75 Australians,[17] were in direct retaliation for Australia's role in the liberation of Timor-Leste and United States' support of the war on terror.[18]

Australian Embassy bombing in Jakarta

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On 9 September 2004, the Australian Embassy in Jakarta was bombed, killing 10 people and injuring 200 others.[19] The perpetrators Jemaah Islamiyah,[20] an organisation which has also claimed responsibility for multiple other attacks against Australians including the 2002 Bali bombings, carried out the attack because of their hatred towards Australians living in Indonesia and the Australian government's deployment of troops in the Iraq War. An Islamist web site, www.islamic-minbar.com, posted a statement by Jemaah Islamiyah saying:

We decided to settle accounts with Australia, one of the worst enemies of God and Islam, ... and a Mujahadeen brother succeeded in carrying out a martyr operation with a car bomb against the Australian embassy...

It is the first of a series of attacks. ... We advise Australians in Indonesia to leave this country or else we will transform it into a cemetery for them.

We advise the Australian government to withdraw its troops from Iraq. If our demand is not satisfied, we will deal them many painful blows. The lines of booby-trapped cars will have no end.

Our jihad (holy war) will continue until the liberation of the land of Muslims.

Jemaah Islamiah in eastern Asia – department of information – Indonesia.

— Jemaah Islamiyah, The Sydney Morning Herald[21]

Espionage allegations

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In October 2013, Indonesians protested the Australian Signals Directorate's alleged 2009 attempt to monitor the phone calls of senior Indonesian officials, including President Susilo Bambang Yudhiyono and his wife Ani Yudhoyono,[22] this included burnings of the flag of Australia.[23] Protests intensified as Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott refused to apologise,[24] leading to further anti-Australia rhetoric. Indonesia froze ties with Australia as a result[25] and recalled the Indonesian ambassador Nadjib Riphat Kesoema to Jakarta between November 2013 and May 2014.

Italy

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In late 1928 and 1929 the Italian Fascist press, such as Il Popolo d'Italia began publishing articles inflaming Italian public opinion against Australians because the Australian government had been recently obliged to limited to the number of Southern European immigrants accepted into the country each year. Other smaller earlier incidents were used by the Italian Fascist press to push such articles, such as the decision that immigrants should not be allowed to work on the wharves, at Port Adelaide unless they had a sufficient working knowledge of English to make such employment safe. Another incident was the removal of the arms of Italy from the Italian Vice-Consulate in the town of Innisfail, Queensland, by a drunk man.[26]

New Caledonia

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Anti-Australian sentiment occurred in New Caledonia in 1983 from anti-independence groups due to the Australian governments support for decolonisation and Kanak independence.[27]

Singapore

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In 1948, there were anti-Australian sentiments in then-colonial Singapore by their citizens due to the treatment of one of their countrywomen.[28]

In 2001, the Australian embassy in Singapore was one of four embassies planned to be bombed by a Jemaah Islamiyah because of there involvement in United States interests and the Invasion of Afghanistan[29]

Turkey

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After the Christchurch mosque shootings in 2019 (which were carried out by an Australian), Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan warned that if Australians and New Zealanders with anti-Muslim and anti-Turkish views try to enter Turkey, they will be "sent back home in coffins like their grandfathers", referring to the Australian Landings on Gallipoli against Turkish Forces in World War I. Many Australians and New Zealanders were highly offended by these comments and accused Erdoğan of anti-Australianism. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern described these comments as "appalling" and "highly insensitive".[30][31]

United States

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Lynching of Sydney immigrants Samuel Whittaker and Robert McKenzie, August 24, 1851

During the mid-19th century, residents of San Francisco held anti-Australian views towards immigrants from Australia because of the actions of the Sydney Ducks, a gang that started from criminal immigrants from Australia. These criminals were known to commit arson and were blamed for an 1849 fire that devastated the heart of San Francisco, as well as a scapegoat for the rampant crime in the city at the time.[32][33] Australian immigrants were also blamed the San Francisco Fire of 1851 that destroyed as much as three-quarters of San Francisco, though no proof ever surfaced. The fire and criminality of the Sydney Ducks was the catalyst for the formation of the first Committee of Vigilance of 1851.[34][35]

The committee lynched four immigrants from Sydney by hanging. John Jenkins, accused of burglary, was hanged on June 10, 1851; James Stuart, accused of murder, who was hanged on July 11, 1851; and Samuel Whittaker and Robert McKenzie, associates of Stuart accused of "various heinous crimes", who were hanged on August 24, 1851.[36] The committee also saw that one immigrant was whipped, fourteen were forcefully deported back to Australia, fourteen were informally ordered to leave California, fifteen were handed over to public authorities and forty-one were discharged.[37] The committee also tried to punish arsonists.[38]

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ "No Title". The Bacchus Marsh Express. No. 911. Victoria, Australia. 15 December 1883. p. 3. Retrieved 7 July 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  2. ↑ "The ties that bind: The Australia-PNG relationship". 16 August 2017.
  3. 1 2 "German Anti-Australian Sentiment". The Mercury. Vol. XLV, no. 4, 603. Tasmania, Australia. 20 November 1884. p. 2. Retrieved 7 July 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. ↑ "The Monitor". The Monitor. Vol. II, no. 41. New South Wales, Australia. 24 February 1827. p. 4. Retrieved 7 July 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  5. ↑ "Australia Wrongs Under The Corn Laws". The Sydney Morning Herald. Vol. XX, no. 2597. New South Wales, Australia. 9 September 1845. p. 2. Retrieved 7 July 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  6. ↑ "The Sydney Morning Herald - Google News Archive Search". Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  7. ↑ "AM - Anti-Australian sentiment felt in Dili". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  8. ↑ "Outrage rises on Corby decision". The Sydney Morning Herald. 30 May 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  9. ↑ Monfries, John (2006). Different Societies, Shared Futures. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. ISBN 9789812303875. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  10. ↑ Reuter, Thomas (18 June 2004). Inequality, Crisis and Social Change in Indonesia. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9780203401910. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  11. ↑ "Caught in a pincer".
  12. 1 2 Lane, Bernard (20 March 2012). "Indonesians 'warmer' to Australians now". The Australian. Archived from the original on 14 May 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  13. ↑ Hanson, Fergus. "The Lowy Institute Poll 2012: Public Opinion and Foreign Policy" (PDF). Lowy Institute. p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on 14 November 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  14. ↑ "Anti-Australian Feeling In Java". The Daily Telegraph. Vol. X, no. 290. New South Wales, Australia. 25 February 1946. p. 4. Retrieved 9 July 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  15. ↑ "2002 Bali bombings | Australian Federal Police". Australian Federal Police. 6 June 2024. Retrieved 2025-03-09.
  16. ↑ "The 12 October 2002 Bali bombing plot". BBC News. 2012-10-09. Retrieved 2025-03-09.
  17. ↑ Notaras, Len (2019-02-25). "From Bali to Sulawesi: the importance of northern Australia's regional response capability". The Strategist. Retrieved 2025-03-09.
  18. ↑ "'Bin Laden' voices new threat to Australia". The Age. 14 November 2002. Retrieved 10 March 2025.
  19. ↑ "AFP marks 20 years since major terror attack | Australian Federal Police". Australian Federal Police. 2024-09-09. Retrieved 2025-03-11.
  20. ↑ Ressa, Maria (9 September 2004). "JI 'claims Jakarta car bombing'". CNN. Archived from the original on 30 August 2007. Retrieved 3 June 2008.
  21. ↑ "JI claims responsibility for blast". The Sydney Morning Herald. 10 September 2004. Retrieved 11 March 2025.
  22. ↑ Roberts, George. "Spying row: Indonesia gives Tony Abbott two days to respond to claims SBY's phone tapped". ABC News. Archived from the original on 19 November 2013. Retrieved 19 November 2013.
  23. ↑ "Indonesian protesters burn Australian flags". Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  24. ↑ "Tony Abbott refuses to apologise for Indonesian spying program". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 13 November 2016. Retrieved 20 February 2020.
  25. ↑ "Indonesia freezes ties with Australia". Archived from the original on 25 February 2016. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
  26. ↑ "Italy And Australia". Geraldton Guardian And Express. Vol. I, no. 5. Western Australia. 8 January 1929. p. 1. Retrieved 9 July 2026 – via National Library of Australia.
  27. ↑ "The Sydney Morning Herald - Google News Archive Search". Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  28. ↑ Massey (10 April 1948). "Anti-Australian feeling amongst Chinese in Singapore over White Australia policy". naa.gov.au. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  29. ↑ "White Paper – The Jemaah Islamiyah Arrests and The Threat of Terrorism". Ministry of Home Affairs, Singapore. 9 January 2003. Archived from the original on 19 January 2003.
  30. ↑ "Row deepens over Turkey's 'deeply offensive' comments". 20 March 2019.
  31. ↑ "Turkey's Erdogan sparks spat with Australia, New Zealand". Associated Press. 20 April 2021.
  32. ↑ Mick Sinclair, San Francisco: a cultural and literary history, Signal Books, 2004 pp. 54-57
  33. ↑ Asbury, Herbert (1933). The Barbary Coast, An Informal History of the San Francisco Underworld. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. (New York).
  34. ↑ Herbert Asbury. "Sydney Ducks" in The Barbary Coast: An Informal History of the San Francisco Underworld Basic Books, 1933
  35. ↑ Cameron White; “Burned by the Torch of the Incendiary”: A Pyro-History of Gold Rush Era San Francisco and the Lynching of Sydney Migrants. Pacific Historical Review 1 November 2023; 92 (4): 507–537. doi: https://doi.org/10.1525/phr.2023.92.4.507
  36. ↑ Hittell, T.H. History of California Vol 3 (1897), pp. 313-330.
  37. ↑ Ethington, Philip J. (2001). The Public City: The Political Construction of Urban Life in San Francisco, 1850-1900. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press. pp. 88–89. ISBN 0-520-23001-9. Retrieved 2007-09-03.
  38. ↑ Gordon Morris Bakken, Law in the western United States, Norman, University of Oklahoma Press, 2000, p. 110.
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