Attitudinal divergence in a Melbourne region of high immigrant concentration: a case study

Dingley Village and Springvale are two suburbs in South-Eastern Melbourne that are geographically close but socially distinct. The first contains high proportions of relatively affluent Australia-born residents, and the second high proportions of less-affluent overseas-born residents, amongst whom the Viet Nam-born constitute the largest birthplace group. This article draws on survey data to chart the differing attitudes of Australia- and Viet Nam-born people in the two suburbs to immigration and ethnic diversity since the early 1990s. While the data show support for non-discriminatory selection policies, many respondents are opposed to current levels of immigration and to aspects of multiculturalism. However, attitudes diverge widely between the two suburbs and the Australia-born are not as concerned about immigration issues as they were in the late 1990s. Copyright. Monash University and the author/s