Chapter 2
Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties
Parliamentary democracy and the Rule of Law, the freedoms Australians share, and the responsibilities and privileges that come with citizenship.
Test yourself on this chapterParliamentary democracy
Australia's system of government is a parliamentary democracy. The power of the government comes from the Australian people, because Australian citizens vote for people to represent them in parliament. Those representatives must answer to the people, through elections, for the decisions they make.
Testable facts
- Australia's system of government is a parliamentary democracy
- The power of the government comes from the Australian people because Australian citizens vote for people to represent them in parliament
- Representatives in parliament must answer to the people, through elections, for the decisions they make
The Rule of Law
All Australians are equal under the law. The Rule of Law means that no person, group or religious rule is above the law. Everyone, including people who hold positions of power in the Australian community, must obey Australia's laws — government, community and religious leaders, business people and the police alike.
Testable facts
- All Australians are equal under the law
- The Rule of Law means that no person, group or religious rule is above the law
- Everyone, including people who hold positions of power, must obey Australia's laws
- The Rule of Law applies to government, community and religious leaders, business people and the police
Living peacefully and respect for all
Australians are proud to live in a peaceful country with a stable system of government. Australians believe change should occur through discussion, peaceful persuasion and the democratic process, and reject violence as a way to change a person's mind or the law. Australia's democratic system rests on the principle that every individual, regardless of background, has rights and equality under Australian law, and all Australians are expected to treat each other with dignity and respect.
Testable facts
- Australians believe that change should occur through discussion, peaceful persuasion and the democratic process
- Australians reject violence as a way to change a person's mind or the law
- Every individual, regardless of their background, has rights and equality under Australian law
- All Australians are expected to treat each other with dignity and respect, regardless of their race, country of origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, heritage, culture, politics, wealth or religion
Freedom of speech and freedom of expression
Freedom of speech is a core Australian value and underpins the democratic system. It means people can say and write what they think and discuss their ideas with others; they can criticise the government, protest peacefully against government decisions and campaign to change laws, so long as they obey Australian laws. Freedom of expression means people can express their views through art, film, music and literature, and are free to meet in public or private places for social or political discussion. At all times the laws of Australia must be obeyed, and other people's freedom of speech must be respected.
Testable facts
- Freedom of speech is a core Australian value and underpins Australia's democratic system
- Freedom of speech means people can say and write what they think and discuss their ideas with others
- People can criticise the government, protest peacefully against government decisions and campaign to change laws
- Freedom of expression means people can express their views through art, film, music and literature
- People are free to meet in public or private places for social or political discussion
- Even while engaging in freedom of speech, the laws of Australia must be obeyed
- Gatherings to protest must be peaceful and must not injure any person or damage property
Freedom of association and freedom of religion
Freedom of association is the right to form and join associations to pursue common goals. People in Australia are free to join any legal organisation, such as a political party, trade union, or religious, cultural or social group, and can also decide not to join and cannot be forced into doing so. Australia has a Judaeo-Christian heritage and many Australians describe themselves as Christians, with public holidays on Christian days such as Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Christmas Day. The government is secular, operating separately from churches or other religious entities, and Australia has no official national religion. Where an Australian law and a religious practice conflict, Australian law prevails.
Testable facts
- Freedom of association is the right to form and join associations to pursue common goals
- People in Australia are free to join any legal organisation, such as a political party, trade union, religious, cultural or social group
- People can decide not to join an organisation and cannot be forced into doing so
- Australia has a Judaeo-Christian heritage and many Australians describe themselves as Christians
- Australia has public holidays on Christian days such as Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Christmas Day
- The government in Australia is secular, which means it operates separately from churches or other religious entities
- Australia has no official national religion
- People in Australia are free to follow any religion they choose, or not to follow a religion
- Where there is a conflict between an Australian law and a religious practice, Australian law prevails
Equality of opportunity and a fair go
A number of Australian laws ensure a person is not treated differently to others because of their gender, race, disability or age. Men and women have equal rights in Australia and it is against the law to discriminate against a person because of their gender. Australians value equal opportunity, often called a ‘fair go’: what someone achieves in life should be the result of their talents, work and effort, rather than their wealth or background. This is to ensure there are no formal class distinctions in Australian society.
Testable facts
- Australian laws ensure a person is not treated differently because of their gender, race, disability or age
- Men and women have equal rights in Australia
- It is against the law to discriminate against a person because of their gender
- Australians value equal opportunity in society, which is often called a 'fair go'
- A 'fair go' means what someone achieves in life should be the result of their talents, work and effort rather than their wealth or background
- Australian society has no formal class distinctions
Responsibilities of Australian citizenship
Becoming an Australian citizen brings additional responsibilities. As an Australian citizen you must obey the laws of Australia; vote in federal and state or territory elections, and in a referendum; defend Australia should the need arise; and serve on a jury if called to do so. Voting is a responsibility for citizens aged 18 years or over and is compulsory in federal and state or territory elections, although it may not be compulsory in local government elections in some states. Service in the Australian Defence Force is voluntary, but defending Australia should the need arise remains a responsibility. Jury service is a responsibility for citizens aged 18 years or over who are on the electoral roll.
Testable facts
- As an Australian citizen you must obey the laws of Australia
- As an Australian citizen you must vote in federal and state or territory elections, and in a referendum
- As an Australian citizen you must defend Australia should the need arise
- As an Australian citizen you must serve on a jury if called to do so
- Voting is a responsibility for Australian citizens aged 18 years or over
- Voting is compulsory in federal and state or territory elections
- It may not be compulsory to vote in local government elections in some states
- Service in the Australian Defence Force is voluntary, but defending Australia should the need arise is a responsibility of citizens
- Jury service is a responsibility for Australian citizens aged 18 years or over
- Australian citizens who are on the electoral roll can be called to serve on a jury
- A jury is a group of ordinary Australian men and women who listen to the evidence in a court case and decide if a person is guilty or not guilty
- A referendum is a vote to change the Australian Constitution
Privileges of Australian citizenship
Australian citizenship also brings privileges. As a citizen you can vote in federal and state or territory elections and in a referendum; apply for children born overseas to become Australian citizens by descent; apply for a job in the Australian Public Service or the Australian Defence Force; seek election to parliament; apply for an Australian passport and re-enter Australia freely; and ask for consular assistance from an Australian official while overseas. Citizens aged 18 years or over who are not dual citizens can seek election to parliament at federal, state or territory level. When in another country you must obey the laws of that country.
Testable facts
- As an Australian citizen you can vote in federal and state or territory elections, and in a referendum
- As an Australian citizen you can apply for children born overseas to become Australian citizens by descent
- As an Australian citizen you can apply for a job in the Australian Public Service or in the Australian Defence Force
- As an Australian citizen you can seek election to parliament
- As an Australian citizen you can apply for an Australian passport and re-enter Australia freely
- As an Australian citizen you can ask for consular assistance from an Australian official while overseas
- Australian citizens aged 18 years or over who are not dual citizens can seek election to parliament
- If you travel overseas as an Australian citizen you are free to return to Australia without the need for a visa
- Australian officials overseas can help with an emergency passport, and advice and support in the case of an accident, serious illness or death
- When in another country you must obey the laws of that country
Participating in Australian society and paying tax
Australia encourages all citizens to participate actively in society: joining neighbourhood and local community organisations, volunteering for social and community work, joining arts or cultural organisations, and taking part in political life. Paying tax is another important way of contributing and is required by law. Tax is paid out of money earned from a job, a business or investments and is collected by the Australian Taxation Office, and there are also taxes on many goods and services. Taxes pay for services including government-funded healthcare and education, defence, roads and railways, and social security. State and territory governments and local councils also collect taxes to pay for services.
Testable facts
- Australia encourages all citizens to actively participate in society
- Paying tax is an important way to contribute to the Australian community and is required by law
- Tax is paid out of the money you earn from a job, a business or investments
- Tax is collected by the Australian Taxation Office
- There are also taxes on many goods and services
- Taxes are spent on services including government-funded healthcare and education, defence, roads and railways, and social security
- State and territory governments and local councils also collect taxes to pay for services