Australia

Australia is a vibrant multicultural democracy with robust institutions. In 2020 the global Black Lives Matter movement refocused attention on the severe disadvantage suffered by First Nations people, particularly the overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in prison and high rate of deaths in custody. While Australia largely contained the spread of Covid-19, police efforts to enforce curfews and lockdowns during the pandemic raised concerns over freedom of expression and the misuse of police powers. Since introducing offshore processing of refugees and asylum seekers in 2013, the government has maintained its stance that no one who arrives by boat will be resettled in Australia.