The TLDR (Too Long Didn't Read) Version of "Our Common Bond"
Part 1: Australia and its people
- You pledge your loyalty to Australia and its people at the citizenship ceremony.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are Australia's first inhabitants.
- Aboriginal people are from mainland Australia and Tasmania.
- Aboriginal peoples arrived in Australia between 65,000 and 40,000 years ago.
- Torres Strait Islander people are from islands between the northern tip of Queensland and Papua New Guinea.
Early days of European setlement
- European settlement started when the 'First Fleet' arrived from Great Britain on the 26th January 1788.
- The First Fleet consisted of 11 convict ships.
- There were too many people imprisioned in Great Britain, so the British Government transported convicts to the new colony of New South Wales.
- Captain Arthur Phillip was the first Governor of the colony of New South Wales.
- A 'gold rush' started in 1851 with the discovery of gold in New South Wales and Victoria. Many people arrived (including Chinese) and within 10 years the population more than doubled.
The nation of Australia
- In 1901, the separate colonies were united into the Commonwealth of Australia.
- In 1901, the population was about 4 million (excluding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, who were only included in the population count after the 1967 Referendum).
- Australia's national language is English.
- There are more than 100 distinct Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.
Australia's states and territories
- There are 6 states and 2 mainland territories (each have their own capital city).
- New South Wales (state):
- capital city = Sydney
- the first colony
- icons = Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House
- Victoria (state):
- capital city = Melbourne
- geography = smallest mainland state
- icons = fine 1850s gold rush buildings, Melbourne Cricket Ground, 12 Apostles, Royal Exhibition Building
- Queensland (state):
- capital city = Brisbane
- geography = second largest state, tropical rainforests, temperate coastal areas and dry inland
- icons = Great Barrier Reef
- Western Australia (state):
- capital city = Perth
- geography = largest state, mostly desert with agriculture and wine growing in the south-west
- icons = mining, Ningaloo Coast, Margaret River, Kimberly region
- South Australia (state):
- capital city = Adelaide
- geography = rugged coastlines and wine regions (Barossa Valley)
- icons = colonial architecture, Flinders Ranges
- Tasmania (state):
- capital city = Hobart
- geography = smallest state, Bass Strait separates from mainland, unspoilt wilderness
- icons = Cradle Mountain, Port Arthur, Bay of Fires
- Australian Capital Territory (territory):
- capital city = Canberra (also the national capital city)
- geography = between Sydney and Melbourne
- icons = Parliament House, High Court
- Northern Territory (territory):
- capital city = Darwin
- geography = north is tropical and south is dry red desert
- icons = Uluru, Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon
Traditions
- Welcome to Country is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander cultural practice welcoming visitors to their traditional land.
- Acknowledgement of Country recognises that a gathering is on Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander land. It is usually delivered as part of the Welcome and Housekeeping at
meetings and events.
Important days for Australians
- Australia Day
- 26th of January
- Anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet from Great Britain in 1788.
- The Prime Minister announces the Australian of the Year Awards.
- Anzac Day
- 25th of April
- Named after the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps.
- The ANZACs landed at Gallipoli in Türkiye during World War I on 25 April 1915.
Australia's Flags
- Each state and territory has its own flag
- The Australian National Flag
- The nation's official flag.
- Blue, white and red.
- The flag of the United Kingdom (Union Jack) is in the top left corner. Represents history of British settlement and the inherited laws and institutions.
- Under the Union Jack is the Commonwealth Star with 7 points (6 points for the 6 states and 1 point for the 2 territories).
- The smaller stars to the right is the Southern Cross.
- The Australian Aboriginal Flag
- Black, red and yellow
- Black top half = Aboriginal People
- Red bottom half = earth
- Yellow circle = sun
- The Torres Strait Islander Flag
- Green, blue, black and white.
- Green stripes = land
- Blue centre panel = sea
- Two black lines = Torres Strait Islander people
- White dancer's headdress at the centre
- White (symbolising peace) star = the island groups of the Torres Strait
Australia's Symbols
- Commonwealth Coat of Arms
- Official symbol which represents national unity.
- Identifes the authority and property of the Commonwealth of Australia.
- Shield in the centre = six states and federation
- A kangaroo and an emu support the shield on each side.
- A gold Commonwealth Star sits above the shield.
- The background is golden wattle.
- Australia's national flower
- Golden wattle
- Grows mainly in south-eastern Australia.
- Bright green leaves and many golden yellow flowers.
- The states and territories have their own floral emblem.
- Australia's national colours
- Green and gold (colour of the Golden Wattle).
- Uniforms of national sports teams are usually green and gold.
- Australia's national gemstone
- Opal
- Aboriginal legend says a rainbow touched the earth and created the colours of the opal.
- Australia's national anthem
- Advance Australia Fair.
- Sung on occasions of national importance.
Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties
- You pledge that you will share Australia's democratic beliefs and respect its rights and liberties at the citizenship ceremony.
Our democratic beliefs
- Parliamentary democracy
- Australia's system of government.
- Power of the government comes from Australian people voting.
- Parliament representatives are answerable through elections.
- The Rule of Law
- All Australians are equal under the law.
- No one is above the law.
- Living peacefully
- Change should occur through discussion, peaceful persuasion, and the democratic process.
- Violence cannot be used to make change.
- Respect for all individuals regardless of background
- Every individual has rights and equality under Australian law.
- Regardless of background, all Australians treat each other with dignity and respect.
Our freedoms
- Australian laws must be followed while engaging in our freedoms.
- Freedom of speech and freedom of expression
- Freedom of speech = people can say and write what they think, and discuss their ideas with others.
- Freedom of expression = people can express their views, including through art, film, music and literature.
- Freedom of association
- Freedom of association = the right to form and join associations (legal, religious, cultural and social) to pursue common goals.
- Freedom of religion
- Australia has a Judaeo-Christian heritage, but has no official religion and the government is secular (operates independently of religious entities).
- People in Australia are free to follow any religion or not follow a religon.
- Australian law is above religous law.
Our equalities
- Gender equality = Men and women have equal rights in Australia.
- Equality of opportunity and a ‘fair go’ = what someone achieves in life should be as a result of their talents, work and effort, rather than their wealth or background.
Responsibilities and privileges of Australian citizenship
- Responsibilities: what you will give Australia
- Obey the law.
- For citizens 18 years and over, complusory voting in federal and state or territory elections, and in a referendum. Voting may not be complusory in local government elections in some states.
- Defend should the need arise.
- For citizens 18 years and over (and on the electoral roll), serve on a jury if requested. A jury listens to evidence in court and decides if a person is guilty or not guilty.
- Privileges: what Australia will give you
- Right to vote.
- Children born overseas can apply to become Australian citizens by descent.
- Apply for a job in the Australian Public Service or in the Australian Defence Force
- Seek election to parliament (18 years and over and not dual citizens).
- An Australian passport which allows you to return to Australia without a visa.
- Overseas consular assistance. When in another country, you must obey the laws of that country.
Participating in Australian society
- Actively participate in society
- Active citizens shape Australia's future.
- Volunteer.
- Join a cultural organisation.
- Participate in political life.
- Pay tax
- Paid out of money you earn and required by law.
- Taxes on goods and services.
- Collected by the ATO, state and territory governments, and local councils.
- Taxes are spent on services like health, education, defence, transport and social security.
Part 3: Government and the law in Australia
- You pledge to uphold and obey the laws of Australia at the citizenship ceremony.
How do I have my say?
- Voting
- Australia's system of government is a parliamentary democracy.
- Australia is governed by voting for a person to represent them in parliament.
- Voting is compulsory. You may have to pay a fine if you do not vote without a valid reason.
- The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), an independent agency, conducts federal elections and referendums, and maintains the electrol roll.
- Voting is by secret ballot to ensure you are free and safe to vote for any candidate.
- Raising matters with your representatives
- Australian citizens can contact their elected representative to raise their concerns about government policy.
- This way, Australians can have a say in forming laws and policies.
How did we establish our system of government?
- Federation
- On the 1st of January 1901 (now Federation Day), the six separate, self-governing British colonies were united into a federation of states called the Commonwealth of Australia.
- The Australian Constitution
- The Australian Constitution is the legal document that sets out the basic rules for the government of Australia.
- Came into effect on the 1st of January 1901 (passed as part of a British Act of Parliament in 1900).
- The Constitution can be changed via a double majority in a referendum (e.g. The 1967 Referendum where 90% voted in favour to allow Aboriginal peoples to be counted in the census).
- Double majority = both the majority of voters in a majority of states and a majority of voters across the nation.
How is the power of government controlled?
- A separation of powers stops one person, or one group, from holding all the power.
- Legislative
- The power to make and change laws.
- The parliament, elected by the people, can make and change laws.
- Executive
- The power to put laws into practice.
- Includes the Prime Minister, Ministers (responsible for government departments) and the Governor-General.
- Judicial
- Judges have the power to interpret and apply the law.
- Courts and judges are independent of parliament and government.
Who is Australia's Head of State?
- Constitution monarchy
- Australia's Head of State = the King of Austrlia = His Majesty King Charles III
- Constitutional monarchy = the King is the Head of State, but must act in accordance with the Constitution
- The King does not live in Australia, so he appoints (on advice from the Australian Prime Minister) the Governor-General as his representative.
- The Governor-General acts independently of all political parties.
- In each of the states there is a Governor who represents the King in a role that is similar to the Governor-General.
- The role of the Governor-General
- Royal Assent = signing all Bills passed by the Australian Parliament.
- Performing ceremonial duties.
- Approving the appointment of the Australian Government and its ministers, federal judges and other offcials.
- Starting the process for a federal election.
- Acting as Commander-in-Chief of the Australian Defence Force
- Special powers known as ‘reserve powers’ that can only be used in specifc circumstances.
Who are some of Australia's leaders?
- Head of State = The King of Australia
- Governor-General = The representative of the Head of State in Australia
- Governor = The representative of the Head of State in each Australian state
- Prime Minister = Leader of the Australian Government
- Premier = Leader of a state government
- Chief Minister = Leader of a territory government
- Government Minister = A Member of Parliament chosen by a government leader to be responsible for an area of government
- Member of Parliament = An elected representative of the people in the Australian Parliament or a state parliament
- Senator = An elected representative of a state or territory in the Australian Parliament
- Mayor or Shire President = The leader of a local government
- Councillor = An elected member of a local council
How is Australia governed?
- The Australian Government
- Also known as the Federal Government or the Commonwealth Government.
- Responsibilies: taxation; national economic management; immigration and citizenship; employment assistance; postal services and the communications network; social security; defence; trade and commerce; airports and air safety; foreign affairs.
- Made up of two houses called the House of Representatives and the Senate.
- The House of Representatives
- Also called the Lower House or the People's House.
- Members of Parliament represent the people in electorate
- Electorates = divisions of Australia based on the number of people
- There are 150 electorates, each with on Member of Parliament.
- Role = to consider, debate, and vote on proposals for new laws or changes to the laws, and discuss matters of national importance.
- The Senate
- Also called the Upper House, the House of Review or the State's House.
- Voters from each state also elect senators to represent them in the Senate
- All states are equally represented in the Senate regardless of their size or population.
- 76 senators = (6 states each with 12 senators) + (2 territories each with 2 senators)
- Role = also consider, debate and vote on new laws or changes to the laws, and discuss matters of national importance.
- State and territory government
- Each state government has its own parliament (based in its capital city) and constitution.
- In each state, a Governor represents the King of Australia.
- In the Northern Territory, an Administrator is appointed by the Governor-General.
- States have rights recognised by the Constitution while territories do not. Territory laws can be altered or revoked by the Australian Government at any time.
- Responsibilies: hospitals and health services; schools; roads and railways; forestry; police and ambulance services; public transport.
- Local government
- The states and the Northern Territory are divided into local government areas (cities, shires, towns or municipalities) operated by a Council.
- Councils are responsible for planning and delivering services to their local community.
- The Australian Capitial Terrority Government undertakes the responsibilities of a local government.
- Responsibilies: street signs, traffc controls; local roads, footpaths, bridges; drains; parks, playgrounds, swimming pools, sports grounds; camping grounds and caravan parks; food and meat inspection; noise and animal control; rubbish collection; local libraries, halls and community centres; certain child-care and aged-care issues; building permits; social planning; local environmental issues.
What role do political parties play in the way Australia is governed?
- Political Party = A group of people who share similar ideas about governing the country and work together to have these ideas turned into laws.
- The main political parties: Liberal Party; Australian Labor Party; the Nationals; and the Australian Greens.
- An 'independent' does not belong to a political party.
How is the Australian Government formed?
- The party of coalition of parties with the majority of members in the House of Representatives forms the Australian Government after an election.
- The leader of this party becomes the Prime Minister.
- The party of coalition of parties with the second largest number of members in the House of Representatives becomes the Opposition.
- The Prime Minister recommends members of the House of Representatives or Senators to become ministers. The Governor-General approves these appointments.
- Government Ministers are responsible for an area of government (a portfolio).
- Ministers with the most important portfolios make up the Cabinet, the key decision making body of government.
How are laws made?
- A Member of Parliament makes a proposal, a 'Bill', to introduce a new law or change an existing one.
- The House of Representatives and the Senate consider, debate and vote on whether they agree with the Bill.
- If the majority of members in each House of Parliament agree to the Bill, it goes to the Governor-General.
- The Governor-General signs a Bill so that it becomes law (called 'Royal Assent').
How are laws enforced?
- The courts
- Are independent of the government.
- Decides if a person has broken the law and decide the penalty if guilty.
- People are considered innocent until they are found guilty in a court.
- Judges and magistrates
- The highest authority in a court.
- Appointed by the government, but still independent and cannot be removed by the government.
- Juries
- The role of a jury is to decide in court if a person is innocent or guilty.
- A group of randomly selected ordinary Australian citizens.
- In a criminal trial, if the jury finds a person guilty, the judge decides the penalty.
- The police
- Are independent of the government.
- The police maintain peace and order in the community, and protect life and property.
- If the police suspect that someone has broken the law, they can arrest them and bring them before a court of law.
- The states and the Northern Territory have their own police forces.
- The Australian Federal Police (AFP) investigate federal crimes and are responsible for general police work in the Australian Capital Territory.
- Police bribery is a serious crime.
Criminal offences in Australia
- Not knowing the law is not an excuse.
- Domestic and family violence is not accepted and is against the law.
- If you or someone you know is in danger you should contact the police.
Traffic offences
- Road and traffc rules are controlled by state and territory governments.
- To drive a car, you must have a local driver's licence and the car must be registered.
- Everybody must wear a seatbelt, and babies and young children must be in an approved car seat.
- It is illegal to drive: under the influence of drugs; above the blood alcohol limit; and while using a hand-held mobile device.
Part 4: Australian values
Our values
- Commitment to the Rule of Law
- Laws maintain a peaceful and orderly society.
- All Australians, regardless of background or culture, are equal in relation to the law.
- No person or group is above the law.
- You should follow the law even if no one is watching, otherwise you will face penalties.
- Parliamentary democracy
- The laws are determined by parliaments elected by the people.
- The power of the government comes from the Australian people because Australian citizens vote for people to represent them.
- Voting is compulsory in Australia. This shows the importance of participating in elections.
- Freedom of speech
- Australians can express their ideas freely within the law.
- Australians are allowed to peacefully protest against the actions of the government.
- Promote violence against another person or group of people is never accepted.
- It is illegal to make false allegations or encourage others to break the law.
- Freedom of association
- People are free to join or leave any group voluntarily as long as it is within the law.
- Australians can gather freely with others, including peaceful (no injury to people for damage to property) protests against a government action or an organisation.
- Freedom of religion
- Australia has no offcial national religion.
- Australians are free to follow any religion they choose.
- Religious laws have no legal status and religious practices must not break Australian laws.
- Polygamy or forced marriage are illegal.
- Everyone has equal opportunity regardless of their ethnicity or religion.
- Equality of all people under the law
- Australian society values the equal rights of all people, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, etc.
- Australian laws protect a person from being treated differently from others.
- Under Australian laws, two people can marry each other, including marriage between two men or two women.
- It is against the law to discriminate against a person because of their gender.
- Both men and women have the right to make their own independent choices about personal matters, such as marriage and religion.
- Divorce is acceptable in Australia. Either a husband or a wife may apply for a divorce to the courts.
- Equality of opportunity and a 'fair go'
- Everyone, regardless of their background, is given an equal opportunity to achieve success in life.
- What someone achieves in life should be a result of their hard work and talents.
- Mutual respect and tolerance for others
- Individuals must respect the freedom and dignity of others, and their opinions and choices.
- Australians believe in peaceful disagreement and above all the right to be safe and free from violence and intimidation.
- There are very strict laws concerning the age of sexual consent, which is 16 or 17 depending on which state or territory you reside in.
- You should obey a lawful request from the police.
- People should be tolerant of each other where they fnd that they disagree.
- Racism has no place in Australia.
Our community
- Making a contribution
- Everyone living in Australia should participate in our society and make a contribution to our community.
- Everyone has a responsibility to try and support themselves and their families.
- Compassion for those in need
- Australians value 'mateship&apos, that is, we help each other in times of need.
- Australia has a strong tradition of community service and volunteering.
- English as the national language
- People living in Australia should make an effort to learn English.
- Learning to speak English helps to get an education, a job, and better integrate into the community.
- Helping to keep our society safe
- We each have responsibilities to help protect Australian society.
- People in Australia should report crimes and potential crimes (including child abuse) to the police or government authorities.
- Online/Cyber abuse (sharing sexual images, stalking, racism) is not accepted in Australia.
- Loyalty to Australia
- Australian citizens may hold the citizenship of another country or countries if the laws of those countries allow (i.e. dual citizenship).
- Within Australia, an Australian with dual citizenship must follow all Australian laws at all times.
- Some Australian laws must also be followed by Australian citizens even when they are overseas (e.g. cannot be involved in sexual activity with a child under 16 years of age).
- Australian citizens must not undermine Australia's interests and security (e.g. do not share official government secrets or promote distrust in an ethnic community).
