About Australia (Travel Information)
Police, prejudice and trouble
“Transportation across the seas”, to which judges condemned the petty criminals of two centuries ago, seems to have been a successful policy; Australia today can pride itself on being a relatively crime-free country, although increasingly it is following the American trend in gun-related incidents.
This is not to say there’s no petty crime, or that you can leave normal caution behind, but there is less violent crime and theft in Australia, even in the big cities, than in most of Europe or North America, and even so-called “heavy” downtown areas can appear pretty tame. One place where violence is commonplace is at the ritual pub “blue” (fight) among known protagonists on a Friday or Saturday night, but strangers are seldom involved without at least some apparent provocation.

You’re perhaps more likely to fall victim to a fellow traveller or an opportunist: theft is fairly common in some hostels, while if you leave valuables lying around, or on view in cars, you can expect them to be stolen. Exercise caution, don’t forget your normal streetwise precautions, and you should be fine; in cities at night stay in areas that are well-lit and full of people, look like you know where you are going and don’t carry excess cash or anything else you can’t afford to lose.

Emergencies
000 is the free emergency telephone number which summons the police, ambulance or fire service.

Police and the law
Australia’s police – all armed – have a thoroughly poor public image and perhaps as a result tend to keep a low profile; you should have no trouble in your dealings with them. Indeed you’ll hardly see them, unless you’re out on a Friday or Saturday night when they cruise in search of drink-related brawls.

Things to watch out for, most of all, are drugs. A lot of marijuana is grown and its use is widespread, but you’d be foolish to carry it when you travel, and crazy to carry any other illicit narcotic. Each state has its own penalties, and though a small amount of grass may mean no more than confiscation or an on-the-spot fine, they’re generally pretty tough – especially in Queensland. When you cross state borders you may find that your vehicle will be searched – not just for “firearms, pornography or drugs” but also for fruit and fresh produce, which often cannot be carried from one state to the next (you’ll see large signs warning you, and places to dispose of your life-threatening bananas). Driving in general makes you more likely to have a confrontation of some kind, if only for a minor traffic infringement: drunk driving is regarded extremely seriously, so don’t risk it.

Lesser potential problems are alcohol – there are all sorts of controls on where and when you can drink, and taking alcohol onto Aboriginal lands can be a serious offence – smoking, which is increasingly being banned in public places; and nude or topless sunbathing, which is quite acceptable in many places, but absolutely not in others – follow the locals’ lead.

If for any reason you are arrested or need help (and you can be arrested merely on suspicion of committing an offence), you are entitled to contact a friend or lawyer before answering any questions. You could call your consulate, but don’t expect much sympathy. If necessary, the police will provide a lawyer, and you can usually get legal aid to settle the bill.

Prejudice, Police and travellers
Given Australia’s record on its treatment of the Aboriginal population, the history of the White Australia policy, and the recent rise of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party on a racist agenda, it comes as little surprise to find that this is a nation where racial prejudice is ingrained. As a black traveller you’re likely to attract attention when you don’t particularly want it, and be unable to get it when you do – even to the extent of being refused service in an Outback bar or being unable to flag down a cab in a city. Certainly in remote areas, where Aboriginal people are still often treated as second-class citizens at best, black travellers may have an uncomfortable time.

Asians are generally more accepted (in Australia, “Asian” usually means Southeast Asian – the Indian and Pakistani populations are negligible). However, a strong undercurrent of anti-Asian feeling – never too far below the surface in Australia’s European history – has recently come out into the open, encouraged by Pauline Hanson’s many infamous remarks since her maiden speech in parliament in September 1996. Cliché-ridden, uninformed and simplistic as they are, her statements have struck a chord with some Australians, who feel bewildered and marginalized by the massive socioeconomic changes their country has gone through in the last 25 years. In hard times it’s handy to have a scapegoat, and Asians have always been a target for criticism in Australia.

Nevertheless, Australia does have powerful anti-discrimination laws. Any racial discrimination can be reported to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission, who have offices in each state capital. Although you might not have time (or the desire) to go through the lengthy complaints process, the threat is a useful one, as their powers are considerable. Just don’t expect a country policeman to help you – many are part of the problem rather than its solution.