Our Common Bond study notes · Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties
Democratic Beliefs, Freedoms and Equality
At the ceremony you pledge to share Australia's democratic beliefs and respect its rights and liberties. Part 2 explains what these are.
Key facts for the test
- •Parliamentary democracy: power comes from the people through elections
- •Rule of Law: no person, group or religious rule is above the law
- •No official national religion; the government is secular
- •Where religion and Australian law conflict, Australian law prevails
- •A fair go: success based on talent, work and effort
Democratic beliefs
In a parliamentary democracy the power of the government comes from the people, because citizens vote for representatives who must answer to them at elections. Under the Rule of Law all Australians are equal under the law and no person, group or religious rule is above it, including government, community and religious leaders, business people and the police. Australians believe change should come through discussion, peaceful persuasion and the democratic process, and reject violence. Everyone is to be treated with dignity and respect regardless of background.
Freedom of speech and expression
People can say and write what they think, criticise the government, protest peacefully and campaign to change laws, as long as they obey Australian law. Freedom of expression covers art, film, music and literature, and people may meet in public or private for social or political discussion. Other people's freedom of speech must be respected too.
Freedom of association and religion
People may join or not join any legal organisation, such as a political party, trade union, religious, cultural or social group, and cannot be forced to join. Protests must be peaceful and must not injure anyone or damage property. Australia has a Judaeo-Christian heritage, but the government is secular and there is no official national religion. People may follow any religion or none. Where a religious practice conflicts with Australian law, Australian law prevails.
Equality and a fair go
Laws protect people from being treated differently because of gender, race, disability or age. Men and women have equal rights. A fair go means that what people achieve should depend on their talents, work and effort rather than their wealth or background, so there are no formal class distinctions.
Summarised in our own words from Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, Department of Home Affairs, licensed under CC BY 4.0. This is not an official publication.
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