Culture of expectation growing in Australia, say demographers
AUSTRALIA’S can-do national character is under threat from an emerging culture of grumbling and expectation.
Social demographers say they are watching a “culture of expectation” bloom – drowning out the values of mainstream Australians – even though the population is healthier and wealthier than ever before.
As the Abbott Government continues to come under fire for its first budget, that paved the road to slash government benefits, analysts warn Australians have become used to financial assistance.
Leading social analyst David Chalke said expectation had become the Australian way.
“Emotionally we are dependent on the government and financially nearly three quarters of households get something from the government,’’ Mr Chalke said.
“It’s not a safety net it’s a hammock.”
Despite the most recent Australian wellbeing index showing anxiety had increased for Australians, the nation’s personal wealth and life expectancy has never been better.
Since 1984, life expectancy has increased from 75 to 82, average annual wages have increased from $53,510 (in real terms) to $73,000 and while population has grown by 51 per cent, the workforce has grown by 81 per cent.
Since 1990, average house prices in Brisbane have jumped from $211,000 in today’s dollars to $600,000 now.
On average, Australian families will pay $12,935 in income tax this year, but receive $9,515 in benefits – leaving a net yearly contribution to the public purse of just $3424.
Demographer Mark McCrindle said the change in culture was most prominent in Gen Y – the most financially endowed generation in the nation’s history.
“Their parents have been the most financially generous to their children,” Mr McCrindle said.
“Yet many of the younger generation expect to start their working life in the manner in which they have seen their parents finish their working life.”
The younger generation had come to expect that tax rates went down, growth rates went up, unemployment was amazingly low and people got baby bonuses, he said.
“It’s a generational experience.
“Having lived through the GFC the young people say that rather than being scared by that they saw, believe that if that’s a global downturn, bring it on.
“The can-do attitude, the belief that you should just get on with it has been diminished.”
North Queensland MP George Christensen took to Twitter to call on Australians to put their “first world complaints” regarding the budget into perspective.
Later, he told The Courier-Mail: “My point is that compared to many struggling on the streets – without welfare, medical aid or any sort of safety net – throughout third world countries, we’re doing a lot of first world whingeing when it comes to the budget.”
Mr Chalke said Australians had been unprepared for the dramatic change brought about by the Abbott Government.
“They are asking, why is the Government doing this?
“(And they’re saying) I voted for steady as she goes, no surprises, sack a few public servants and stop the boats.
“So there is a sense of bewilderment.’’
Social commentator and demographer Bernard Salt said the average household now had plasma televisions, travelled overseas and often ate out at cafes and restaurants
