ABSTRACT
This final chapter brings together the major themes of the book. The data provided by the Visual Historical Atlas challenges the neglect of co-operatives in Australian economic and social history and highlights their significance for understanding the development of Australia. While they grew to reach a peak in the early 1970s, with state assistance, they have gone into decline since then. The rise of Neo-liberalism challenged co-operatives by questioning the mutuality of co-operatives and weakening state support for them. Recent developments such as the rise of the Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals and the National Co-operatives Law have helped raise their profile and removed legal discrimination against them. While the decline in numbers has dramatically slowed, they still face challenges in becoming an integral part of Australian culture and identity but remain a relevant approach to addressing issues such as disability support and Climate Change.
