Keeping up 'appearances' – Australia 2013. Ancestry and ethnic descriptors – after the Cronulla riots.

The author looks behind the cover of two principal appearances in contemporary Australian society. First the 'Anglo appearance' or ancestry, perceived as the overwhelming dominant population. Second, the 'ethnic appearance' (but not 'Anglo') expected as foremost in the reporting of crime.

The study begins with a statistical analysis to determine whether there is today, or has been historically, an overriding Anglo ancestry in Australia. It also attempts to quantify: Aboriginal population in the first decades after colonisation in 1788; past and present convict ancestry; and current ethnic composition in Christian and non-religious affiliations. An insight is gained into the future of the country's ancestral and religious make up around 2050, including prospective political battle lines and alliances.