There is a turning of the tide in Australian social affairs, and with it will come an increasing role for Councils, social commentator Dr Hugh Mackay told the General Assembly.
Hugh Mackay is a respected psychologist, social researcher and writer who has made a life long study of the attitudes and behaviour of the Australian community. He said Australia has undergone massive cultural shifts in the past 30 years and the impact of these shifts has been profound.
“Almost all the reference points have either changed or been so effectively challenged, that many feel things are out of control,” he said.“Basically the middle class is being redefined.Work was once seen as an entitlement, but it has been replaced by job insecurity.”
Dr Mackay said the basic fabric of society is clearly changing with only 36 per cent of people under the age of 30 being married, while not so long ago it was around 76 per cent. More people are living on their own by choice.
“The eccentric fringe is now someone with a spouse and two or three children,” he said. Hugh Mackay said the impact of massive change can be seen in a curious set of responses.
“There is a sense of disengagement, that it is all too hard,” he said. “We are focusing on home renovations, turning our focus inwards. On the brighter side for Local Governments is the trend toward tribal groups particularly among young people who seem to be forming in small groups.”
Hugh Mackay pointed to the constant use of mobile phones by young people as a way that the tribe stays in constant contact.
“The most precious resource appears to be each other,” he said. “The challenge for Local Government is to engage these small tribes and other groups in Australian society in this changing environment.”
