Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

Parliamentary democracy

Our Common Bond, page 18

Australia's system of government is a parliamentary democracy. The power of the government comes from the people, because citizens vote for people to represent them in parliament. Those representatives must answer to the people, through elections, for the decisions they make.

The Rule of Law

Our Common Bond, page 18

All Australians are equal under the law. Under the Rule of Law, no person, group or religious rule is above the law.

• Everyone must obey the law, including people with power.
• That means leaders of government, community and religion, business people and the police too.

Living peacefully and respect for all

Our Common Bond, page 18

• Change should happen through discussion, peaceful persuasion and the democratic process.
• Australians reject violence as a way to change a person's mind or the law.
• Every person, whatever their background, has rights and equality under Australian law.
• Everyone should treat others with dignity and respect, whatever their race, country of origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, heritage, culture, politics, wealth or religion.

Freedom of speech and expression

Our Common Bond, page 19

Freedom of speech is a core Australian value and supports our democracy.

• People can say and write what they think and discuss their ideas with others.
• People can criticise the government, protest peacefully against its decisions and campaign to change laws, as long as they obey the law.
• Freedom of expression includes art, film, music and literature.
• People are free to meet in public or private places to talk about social or political matters.
• The law must be obeyed at all times, and other people's freedom of speech must be respected.

Freedom of association

Our Common Bond, page 19

Freedom of association is the right to form and join groups to work towards shared goals.

• People are free to join any legal organisation, such as a political party, a trade union, or a religious, cultural or social group.
• People are also free not to join, and nobody can force them to.
• People can gather to protest, but the gathering must be peaceful, must not hurt anyone and must not damage property.

Freedom of religion

Our Common Bond, page 19

• Australia has a Judaeo-Christian heritage, and people from all the large religions live here.
• Some public holidays are on Christian days, such as Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Christmas Day.
• The government and the law treat all citizens equally, whatever their religion.
• The government is secular: it works separately from churches and other religious groups.
• Australia has no national religion. People are free to follow any religion, or none.
• If a religious practice and an Australian law conflict, the Australian law wins.

Equal rights and a fair go

Our Common Bond, page 20

• Laws make sure people are not treated differently because of their gender, race, disability or age.
• Men and women have equal rights. It is against the law to discriminate against someone because of their gender.
• A "fair go" means what people achieve should come from their talents, work and effort, not their wealth or background.
• There are no formal class distinctions in Australian society.

What citizens must do

Our Common Bond, pages 20 and 21

As an Australian citizen you must:

• Obey the laws of Australia.
• Vote in federal and state or territory elections, and in a referendum, which is a vote to change the Constitution. Voting is a responsibility for citizens aged 18 or over. It is compulsory in federal and state or territory elections, and may not be compulsory in local government elections in some states.
• Defend Australia should the need arise. Service in the Australian Defence Force itself is voluntary.
• Serve on a jury if called. 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. Citizens aged 18 or over who are on the electoral roll can be called. Jury service helps keep the court system open and fair.

What citizens can do

Our Common Bond, pages 20 and 22

The privileges of citizenship include:

• voting in federal and state or territory elections and in a referendum (both a responsibility and a privilege)
• applying for children born overseas to become Australian citizens by descent
• applying for a job in the Australian Public Service, for example at Services Australia or the Australian Taxation Office, or in the Australian Defence Force (Army, Navy and Air Force)
• applying for an Australian passport, living freely in Australia and coming back without a visa
• asking for help from an Australian embassy, high commission or consulate while overseas, for example in civil unrest or a natural disaster, for an emergency passport, or after an accident, serious illness or death.

When you are in another country, you must obey that country's laws.

Taking part and paying tax

Our Common Bond, page 22

• Australia encourages citizens to take part: join local groups, volunteer, join arts or cultural groups, and take part in political life.
• Paying tax is required by law. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) collects tax on the money people earn, and there are also taxes on many goods and services.
• Taxes pay for services such as healthcare, education, defence, roads and railways, and social security.
• State and territory governments and local councils also collect taxes.