The 1970’s The 1970’s Political, Social Political, Social

and Cultural and Cultural ChangesChanges

OverviewOverview

The social upheaval and political drama The social upheaval and political drama of the 1960s continued throughout the of the 1960s continued throughout the 1970s. In many cases, these protests 1970s. In many cases, these protests were part of wider social and political were part of wider social and political

movements taking place in other movements taking place in other Western countries.Western countries.

Australian perspectives on immigration, Australian perspectives on immigration, war, sexual morality, the role of women war, sexual morality, the role of women and the environment were undergoing and the environment were undergoing

radical change. In 1974, the White radical change. In 1974, the White Australia Policy was scrapped. Australia Policy was scrapped.

Throughout the decade, women won the Throughout the decade, women won the right to equal pay and maternity leave right to equal pay and maternity leave and Indigenous peoples made progress and Indigenous peoples made progress

on land rights. In 1972, Australian on land rights. In 1972, Australian troops were withdrawn from Vietnam troops were withdrawn from Vietnam and in 1975, the nation was rocked by and in 1975, the nation was rocked by

the dismissal of the dismissal of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam.Prime Minister Gough Whitlam.

Political ContextPolitical Context Many Australians strongly opposed the Many Australians strongly opposed the

Vietnam War and the government’s Vietnam War and the government’s policy on conscription.policy on conscription.

In 1970, 200000 people gathered in In 1970, 200000 people gathered in Australian cities to demonstrate against Australian cities to demonstrate against the Vietnam War.the Vietnam War.

Australian troops were withdrawn in Australian troops were withdrawn in 1972. 50000 troops served and almost 1972. 50000 troops served and almost 500 were killed.500 were killed.

1972 – Gough Whitlam’s labor govt came 1972 – Gough Whitlam’s labor govt came to power.to power.

Whitlam’s radical reforms appealed to Whitlam’s radical reforms appealed to many baby boomers after 23 years many baby boomers after 23 years conservative liberal rule.conservative liberal rule.

Whitlam made changes in health, Whitlam made changes in health, education, immigration, indigenous education, immigration, indigenous rights, foreign affairs and industrial rights, foreign affairs and industrial relations.relations.

He abolished the White Australia He abolished the White Australia Policy, increased funding for the arts, Policy, increased funding for the arts, introduced free university education introduced free university education and lowered the voting age from 21 to and lowered the voting age from 21 to 18.18.

Gough Whitlam faced opposition as many Gough Whitlam faced opposition as many believed he had mishandled the economy believed he had mishandled the economy and caused high levels of inflation and and caused high levels of inflation and unemployment (because of large govt unemployment (because of large govt spending).spending).

He was involved in some damaging scandals He was involved in some damaging scandals including the Overseas loans affair. The including the Overseas loans affair. The government was accused of attempts to government was accused of attempts to fund its plans by illegally borrowing money fund its plans by illegally borrowing money from the Middle Eastern countries.from the Middle Eastern countries.

in 1975 Whitlam was dismissed by the in 1975 Whitlam was dismissed by the Governor General Sir John Kerr. The only Governor General Sir John Kerr. The only time in Australian history where this has time in Australian history where this has occurred. occurred.

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?vwww.youtube.com/watch?v =c5_WHQcKa9I=c5_WHQcKa9I

Malcolm Fraser became the next PM Malcolm Fraser became the next PM and served until 1983. He opposed and served until 1983. He opposed Apartheid in Sth Africa, increased Apartheid in Sth Africa, increased numbers of refugees from Asia, numbers of refugees from Asia, supported Indigenous rights and supported Indigenous rights and supported multiculturalism.supported multiculturalism.

Indigenous Rights 1970’sIndigenous Rights 1970’s

Indigenous people lived in poor Indigenous people lived in poor conditions throughout the 1970’s. in conditions throughout the 1970’s. in 1971, Indigenous people were 1971, Indigenous people were counted in the census for the first counted in the census for the first time. The land rights struggle time. The land rights struggle improved during this time. In 1976 improved during this time. In 1976 the Aboriginal Land rights Act was the Aboriginal Land rights Act was established. Aboriginal people had a established. Aboriginal people had a right to claim control of land.right to claim control of land.

1974 The White Australia Policy was 1974 The White Australia Policy was abolishedabolished

1970’s Multiculturalism became the norm. 1970’s Multiculturalism became the norm. Aust society embraced different cultures, Aust society embraced different cultures, languages, religions and traditions. languages, religions and traditions. Replaced assimilation.Replaced assimilation.

Multiculturalism challenged what was Multiculturalism challenged what was meant by “Australian”. Some opposition to meant by “Australian”. Some opposition to multiculturalism but most believed it would multiculturalism but most believed it would have a positive affect on Aust life. Food, have a positive affect on Aust life. Food, music and religion from other cultures music and religion from other cultures enriched Aust.enriched Aust.

Multiculturalism in the 1970’s

Women continued to challenge traditional gender roles. Women continued to challenge traditional gender roles. In early 1970’s, women made up 1/3 of the workforce, but were In early 1970’s, women made up 1/3 of the workforce, but were

still paid less than men. The Whitlam govt ruled that women still paid less than men. The Whitlam govt ruled that women doing the same work should be paid the same as men.doing the same work should be paid the same as men.

1979, women won the right to paid maternity leave although few 1979, women won the right to paid maternity leave although few made it to high status jobs. made it to high status jobs.

Environmentalism in 1970’sEnvironmentalism in 1970’s Hippie movement of 60’s flowed into 70’s with Hippie movement of 60’s flowed into 70’s with

increased focus on environmental issues.increased focus on environmental issues. 1973-74 world oil crisis. Aust was very dependant 1973-74 world oil crisis. Aust was very dependant

on Middle East oil. Oil very cheap and Australians on Middle East oil. Oil very cheap and Australians needed cheap oil to run cars for transport out to needed cheap oil to run cars for transport out to ever expanding suburbs. 1973 Arab countries ever expanding suburbs. 1973 Arab countries stopped exporting to some western countries after stopped exporting to some western countries after US supported Israel in war with Syria and Egypt.US supported Israel in war with Syria and Egypt.

Price of oil skyrocketed and people looked to Price of oil skyrocketed and people looked to reduce energy consumption and began to be reduce energy consumption and began to be concerned about exhausting planet’s natural concerned about exhausting planet’s natural resources.resources.

Public support to stop Lake Pedder (Tas) Hydro Public support to stop Lake Pedder (Tas) Hydro Protesting against Uranium mining and nuclear Protesting against Uranium mining and nuclear

energyenergy

Restrictions placed on business Restrictions placed on business pollution levels.pollution levels.

Limiting of logging of old growth Limiting of logging of old growth forestsforests

Kakadu and Great Barrier Reef Kakadu and Great Barrier Reef proclaimed National Parks and proclaimed National Parks and protected from environmental protected from environmental distruction.distruction.

TelevisionTelevision Colour TV available in Aust in 1975Colour TV available in Aust in 1975 In 7/10 homes by 1978. Sporting and music In 7/10 homes by 1978. Sporting and music

programs were brighter and more exciting to watch.programs were brighter and more exciting to watch. The most popular music programme of the decade The most popular music programme of the decade

was was CountdownCountdown. Making its debut in 1974, . Making its debut in 1974, CountdownCountdown provided exposure to many up-and- provided exposure to many up-and-coming Australian music acts. Using brightly coming Australian music acts. Using brightly coloured lights and flamboyant costumes, new bands coloured lights and flamboyant costumes, new bands used the technology of colour television to project used the technology of colour television to project themselves into the lounge rooms and record themselves into the lounge rooms and record collections, of many Australians.collections, of many Australians.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKFlOkhQuOchttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKFlOkhQuOc

Countdown and SherbertCountdown and Sherbert

Increased funding and local content Increased funding and local content laws meant that Australian made TV laws meant that Australian made TV shows thrived in the 1970’s.shows thrived in the 1970’s.

1977 – Cop Shop1977 – Cop Shop Kingswood Country, Norman Gunston Kingswood Country, Norman Gunston

ShowShow http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e4huJqpRM0http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e4huJqpRM0

Norman Gunston and the SkyhooksNorman Gunston and the Skyhooks Dramas included: Prisoner, Flying Dramas included: Prisoner, Flying

Doctors and The Sullivans.Doctors and The Sullivans. Number 96 (1972-1977)Number 96 (1972-1977)

Australian CinemaAustralian Cinema Gov’t support lifted ailing movie industry in Gov’t support lifted ailing movie industry in

1970’s1970’s Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975) and Breaker Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975) and Breaker

Morant (1979)Morant (1979)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC0DbTTiHIQhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MC0DbTTiHIQ Picnic at Hanging Picnic at Hanging RockRock

Films enabled Aust characters and stories Films enabled Aust characters and stories to be played out against unique landscape. to be played out against unique landscape. Australians portrayed as stoic and rugged, Australians portrayed as stoic and rugged, the landscape, vast, open and unforgivingthe landscape, vast, open and unforgiving

Australian RadioAustralian Radio FM radio introduced in mid 1970’s. Higher FM radio introduced in mid 1970’s. Higher

quality than AM. New range of commercial quality than AM. New range of commercial stations became popular.stations became popular.

Multicultural radio stationsMulticultural radio stations 1975, 24hr youth rock station 2JJ. Different 1975, 24hr youth rock station 2JJ. Different

styles, Australian content, youth oriented.styles, Australian content, youth oriented. 1980 2JJ moved to FM (later became Triple J)1980 2JJ moved to FM (later became Triple J) 1973 Australian content music 10% of playlist1973 Australian content music 10% of playlist 1976 it became 20% compulsory Aust music.1976 it became 20% compulsory Aust music. This and TV show countdown led to revival in This and TV show countdown led to revival in

Aust music industry.Aust music industry.

MusicMusic In early 1970’s Australian acts rarely In early 1970’s Australian acts rarely

made it internationally, but made it internationally, but concentrated on domestic market.concentrated on domestic market.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8P8lXN0-jrg Skyhooks http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8P8lXN0-jrg Skyhooks “Living in the Seventies”“Living in the Seventies”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRUUWjCWTOQhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRUUWjCWTOQ Billy Thorpe Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs live at Sunburyand the Aztecs live at Sunbury

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGKcaHsJgQI ACDChttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGKcaHsJgQI ACDC http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHWeuQyFouo Disco Bee http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHWeuQyFouo Disco Bee

Gees Stayin AliveGees Stayin Alive http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZTX1po5ec0 Pub Rock http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZTX1po5ec0 Pub Rock

Midnight OilMidnight Oil http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKHsSG2Ra0c John Paul http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKHsSG2Ra0c John Paul

YoungYoung http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmExAiCcaPk Helen Reddy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmExAiCcaPk Helen Reddy

19751975 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQSxKzycCR0 Little River http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQSxKzycCR0 Little River

Band 1979Band 1979

By the end of the seventies, several By the end of the seventies, several Australian acts had broken into the Australian acts had broken into the international market. They achieved international market. They achieved international success with hit songs international success with hit songs and tours to Europe and America.and tours to Europe and America.

Australian popular music gravitated Australian popular music gravitated towards Pub Rock. Other forms towards Pub Rock. Other forms included Glam Rock (Skyhooks). In included Glam Rock (Skyhooks). In the late 70’s saw the emergence of the late 70’s saw the emergence of disco, punk and new wave.disco, punk and new wave.

Other EntertainmentOther Entertainment

Go KartsGo Karts BMX bikesBMX bikes SkateboardsSkateboards Ten Pin BowlingTen Pin Bowling Houses were extended to provide Houses were extended to provide

room for leisure activities. room for leisure activities. Swimming pools became more Swimming pools became more popularpopular

FashionFashion Characterised by being daring, carefree and diverse.Characterised by being daring, carefree and diverse. Women: Skirts (long to very short), fabrics were Women: Skirts (long to very short), fabrics were

bright and boldly patterned, bras and corsets bright and boldly patterned, bras and corsets discarded, baggy trousers, men’s jackets, vests, ties discarded, baggy trousers, men’s jackets, vests, ties and hatsand hats

Men: Tight shirts, bell bottomed trousers and had Men: Tight shirts, bell bottomed trousers and had long moustaches, wide and colourful ties, large long moustaches, wide and colourful ties, large sideburns, big collars, long hairsideburns, big collars, long hair

Platform shoes, flares, tight, shiny hot pantsPlatform shoes, flares, tight, shiny hot pants Fashion varied and changed frequentlyFashion varied and changed frequently Disco fashion included: Lycra and spandex, Disco fashion included: Lycra and spandex,

polyester, velour, sequins, hotpants, bodysuits, open polyester, velour, sequins, hotpants, bodysuits, open necked (and chested) satin shirts and flared trousersnecked (and chested) satin shirts and flared trousers

SportSport Aust is a sports mad country. Large Aust is a sports mad country. Large

participation in sport, interest in spectator participation in sport, interest in spectator sports and watching on TV. Aust leads world in sports and watching on TV. Aust leads world in sporting coverage and technology.sporting coverage and technology.

Aust performs well on world stage. Successful Aust performs well on world stage. Successful sports people become national icons.sports people become national icons.

Active, outdoors culture. Expression of Active, outdoors culture. Expression of mateship and fair go.mateship and fair go.

Sport has evolved from amateur to professional Sport has evolved from amateur to professional and highly lucrative money generation.and highly lucrative money generation.

Sport in Aust has some British and American Sport in Aust has some British and American influences but retains a distinctly Aust cultureinfluences but retains a distinctly Aust culture

Sport in the 1970’sSport in the 1970’s Aust Netball team world champs 3 timesAust Netball team world champs 3 times 8 Swimming Gold at Munich Olympics 8 Swimming Gold at Munich Olympics

1972. Shane Gould standout performer.1972. Shane Gould standout performer. 1974, Aust qualified for world cup finals 1974, Aust qualified for world cup finals

in W. Germany. New National soccer in W. Germany. New National soccer league est. 1977.league est. 1977.

Early in 70’s Australian men and women Early in 70’s Australian men and women dominated Wimbledon Tennis (Court dominated Wimbledon Tennis (Court and Newcombe)and Newcombe)

Sporting decline in late 1970’sSporting decline in late 1970’s 5 medals overall in 325 medals overall in 32ndnd place in 1976 place in 1976 Reasons for decline include: isolation, off Reasons for decline include: isolation, off

season competition, lack of govt funding, season competition, lack of govt funding, amateur (athletes working), unstructured and amateur (athletes working), unstructured and unorganised.unorganised.

America and Europe developing professional America and Europe developing professional sporting systems, developing elite sportsporting systems, developing elite sport

Life Be in it 1978, more people getting fit Life Be in it 1978, more people getting fit and healthy, joining gyms, fun runs, and healthy, joining gyms, fun runs, marathonsmarathons

World Series Cricket 1977 Kerry PackerWorld Series Cricket 1977 Kerry Packer Televising sport, increase in sponsorship, Televising sport, increase in sponsorship,

professional sportspeople and high professional sportspeople and high salaries.salaries.

TransportTransport

http://www.veoh.com/collection/stopcat/whttp://www.veoh.com/collection/stopcat/watch/v6819828WP3AJaAJatch/v6819828WP3AJaAJ

1970’s Car show 1970’s Car show