Part Two - Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties.
At the citizenship ceremony, you pledge that you share Australia's democratic beliefs
and that you will respect the rights and liberties of the Australian people.
In this section there is information about our democratic beliefs, our freedoms, our
equalities, the responsibilities of Australian citizenship, the privileges of Australian
citizenship and participating in Australian society.
Our democratic beliefs: Parliamentary democracy.
Australia's system of government is a parliamentary democracy.
Citizens regularly elect people to represent them in Parliament.
Only Parliament has the power to make and change the laws that govern the country.
The rule of law: Australia's laws are important and help to maintain our peaceful
society.
The rule of law means that no person or group is above the law.
We are all equal under the law.
All Australians have the right to be protected by Australia's laws.
Living peacefully: Australia is a peaceful country.
We reject violence as a way to change a person's mind or to change the law.
Respect for all individuals regardless of background: People come to Australia from many
different countries.
People may be different because of their country of origin, race, heritage, religion,
culture, gender, sexual preference, marital status and/or age, disability, politics,
wealth.
People are free to follow and share their beliefs and traditions as long as they do not
break Australian laws.
We believe every individual, regardless of their background, must be treated with dignity
and respect.
Compassion for those in need: Our governments help Australians in need through social
security and other services.
Many people also help in their community as volunteers.
In Australia, there is a spirit of mateship.
This means, helping each other in times of need.
Our freedoms: Freedom of speech and expression.
We are free to say and write what we think about any topic, criticise the government in
public or in private and express our views in art, film, music and literature.
Television and radio also have this freedom.
However, it is against the law to harm others through speech or expression and encourage
hatred of others, for example, because of their culture.
Freedom of association: We are free to join any legal organization, such as a political
party, trade union, religious, cultural or social group.
People can also decide not to join.
We can join others in a peaceful protest against a government action or an organisation.
Freedom of religion and secular government: Australia's government is secular.
This means that Australia has no official religion.
We are free to follow any religion we choose.
We are also free to have no religion.
Religious practices must not break the laws of Australia.
Our equalities: Equality of men and women.
By law, men and women have equal rights in Australia.
They have equal rights to make independent choices about personal matters, such as
marriage, to vote and stand for Parliament, and to join the Australian Defence Force and
the police.
Men and women have equal access to education and employment and are treated in courts of
law.
Equality of opportunity: Australians believe in a fair society where everyone deserves a
'fair go'.
Everyone has the same chance to succeed through their hard work and talents.
