Australian Values

Post Reply New Topic

Upon reading the citizenship booklet, I came across these values:

And I was wondering what each of these means and how strongly Australians hold each of these values. If you are Australian, would you express your thoughts on this?

I'm Australian, but I have no idea what that stuff means.

Ayiyiyiyiyiyi.....


All of those are theoretically practised by all Aussies. I did say theoretically.

Basically, in more informal language, I think our most basic principle is to give someone a fair go. That pretty much sums everything else up. We're also more cynical towards authority, probably a hangover from convict roots.

Jeeze, I don't know everything about Australia.

Yeah. Most Australians pay fantastic lip service to all of those values.

It does have a high sounding tone to it, but I'll try to explain it in my words and opinions:




• respect for the equal worth, dignity and freedom of the individual

From a Christian perspective all people are made in the image of God and are all equally precious to Him. People should be more valuable than any animal, even though animals are valuable in their complexity and personalities.

In a secular sense people could be said to have equal value, whatever that integer might be. In a less morbid sense I think it means equal treatment.


• freedom of speech

Which is often misinterpreted as a freedom to say anything, but it rather depends who you're talking to as to what can be said when.


• freedom of religion and secular government

Same as America, which doesn't say much...


• freedom of association

I have no idea.


• support for parliamentary democracy and the rule of law

That's the system of the land, just how things are.


• equality under the law

Hand in hand with the value of the individual.


• equality of men and women

From a Christian perspective God made mankind, both male and female, in His image. Not His gender, but of a similar nature to Himself. Men and Women being equally valuable in God's sight should be given the same rights.

From a secular view, we're both the same species.


• equality of opportunity

Compared to Affirmative Action I know the difference not. "What is it" is the question.


• peacefulness

I assume it means "personal nonviolence" because Australia has fought in wars, at least as a supporting ally to other countries.


• tolerance, mutual respect and compassion for those in need.

Except for the "compassion for those in need" bit it sounds like liberal ideology.
Tolerance: I do it, but it is more of putting up with people than accepting what they do.
Mutual respect: I can only control my side.
Compassion: Definitely, to the extant that I can help.

Thanks imnotaparakeet. The religous stuff is kinda confusing to me, however, as I'm Athiest. x_______x

Sorry, it's just the way I see things. No offense intended.

So, my questions are:

What are the limits to freedom of speech?

What is freedom of association?

What is equality of opportunity?

How are Australians to have the quality of peacefulness?

What is meant by tolerance and mutual respect?

Freedom of Association means that you are allowed to form clubs and political parties and churches and NGOs without being arrested. In the US, it is not illegal to belong to the Klan. It is illegal to foment violence or participate in violence, but you can hang around all the people (who like violent racism) you want to. You can associate or form associations with whomever you like. It is not illegal to be a Muslim. It is illegal to donate money to terrorist organizations. It is legal to form a tax hater's club. It is not legal to not pay your taxes.

We have been paying lip service to many of those values for the last decade. We have given up many freedoms because of the fear of terrorism.

The ideal of mateship and giving the other a fair go has been a great part of Australian values. Now I feel that democracy has been compromised and the citizen is powerless. I marched against the war in Iraq, I marched to lobby the Government to say sorry to the aboriginal people for the way they have been treated since white settlement. Yet though these protests were supported by millions they were ignored. I won't discuss climate control, racism .... I think I'd better get off my soap box.

We have a new government. America may also change government. I hope that their actions will bring into concrete form some of these values

A true blue bleeding heart

i hope that Ruddy can bring about positive change. I remember marching in the big IR protest with my colleagues. It was the biggest industrial protest ever and that was ignored too.

nannarob: It's looking like the Aboriginals will get the apology they deserve. As for the rest, I don't know yet. There seems to be so much Rudd wants to get done, but the system is too slow. I don’t think parliament has even sat yet.