What does it mean to be a citizen and display citizenship? What are your rights, responsibilities and privileges as a resident or citizen of Australia?
Citizen: A person who holds citizenship of a polity, such as a country, and who is a member of a political community that grants certain rights and privileges to its citizens, and in return expects them to act responsibly such as to obey their country's laws. Also see global citizens.
Citizenship: A legal status granted by birth or naturalisation to citizens involving certain rights (for example, protection; passport; voting) and responsibilities (for example, obey the law, vote, defend the country). A modern sense incorporates three components: civil (rights and responsibilities); political (participation and representation); and social (social virtues and community involvement).
Civics: A identifiable body of knowledge, skills and understandings relating to the organisation and working of society. It refers to a nation’s political and social heritage, democratic processes, government, public administration and legal system.
Constitution: A set of fundamental principles on which a state or other organisation (such as a club) is governed. Usually, this takes the form of a written legal document setting out specific powers for a government or governing of that entity.
Constitutional Monarchy: A form of monarchy in which a monarch acts as a country’s head of state according to law as required by the constitution and that in exercising his or her discretionary powers, the monarch as head of state acts on advice of responsible ministers, excluding exceptional circumstances.
In Australia, the three levels of government work together to provide us with the services we need.
From The Parliamentary Education Office
Australian Values
Freedom of Speech: Citizens can say or write what they think about Australian governments, or other subjects through freedom of speech. However, no one is allowed to endanger, make false allegations, or obstruct the free speech of others.
Shared Values: Everyone is expected to uphold shared principles and values that support Australia’s way of life.
Peaceful and Mutual respect: Strong community spirit in Australia comes from mutual respect. Change should occur through discussion, peaceful persuasion, and following democratic process.
Freedom of Religion: Citizens are free to follow any religion they choose.
Freedom of Assembly and Association: Australians are free to gather together for a common goal to form and join an association, and protest against any organisation (including the government), as long as it remains peaceful and does not damage or injure people or property.
Equality under the Law: All Australians are equal under the law. Nobody should be treated differently from anybody else because of race, religion, ethnicity or country of origin; because of age, gender, marital status or disability; or because of political or religious beliefs.
Support for Democracy: Australia is a parliamentary democracy, where elected parliaments are the only bodies able to make laws. Governments are accountable to all Australians.
Respect, Dignity, and Freedom for Individuals: All Australians are expected to treat each other with respect and dignity. Australians reject conflict and violence.
Equal Opportunity and Egalitarianism: Everyone is given a ‘fair go’ by respecting equal rights and opportunities.
Australian Law: All people must obey the nation’s laws, which are made by the Australian Commonwealth, state, and territory parliaments. Citizens who break the law face civil and criminal prosecution.
Freedom of Secular Government: Australian governance does not have any official or state religion. Religious laws have no legal status in Australia.
Rule of Law: All Australians are equally protected by the law. No one is exempt or above the law, including people who hold positions of power, such as politicians or the police.
Adapted from Australian-Values.pdf (ruleoflaw.org.au)
Australia's political system is based on the Westminster system. Westminster is the name given to the system of parliamentary democracy used in countries such as Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand and is named after the area in central London where the Parliament of the United Kingdom is located. All state and territory parliaments in Australia follow the Westminster system.
The essential features of the system are:
There are three recognised branches of government in the Westminster system: the legislature; the executive; and the judiciary.
From http://www.parliament.act.gov.au/learn-about-the-assembly/fact-sheets/westminster-system
Democracy: A system of government in which the people have the power to determine how they will be ruled or managed and to elect a parliament to make and implement laws on their behalf.
In most democratic societies, citizens are involved in electing parliamentarians to represent their views. Parliamentarians or representatives of the people then make laws on behalf of the people who have elected them.
Democratic Values: The beliefs and values that are held by our society as a democracy.
Such values include respect, equality, fairness and freedom.
Westminster System: The parliamentary system of Great Britian where parliament consists of two houses and the crown; it is the parliamentary system used in Australia.
Justice: That people should treat each other in a manner that is fair and balanced for all.
Justice can mean different things to different people depending on nationality, culture and values. In Australia, our legal system has strong ties with he concept of justice and is sometimes referred to as the justice system.
Participation: Refers to the way good citizens contribute or take part in society.
In Australia, we participate in society through activities such as voting in an election or referendum, serving on a jury or paying taxes.
Rights and Responsibilities: Refers to entitlements and duties as citizens.
The rights and responsibilities we experience in Australia are an important part of living in a democracy. Our rights ensure we are able to have a say in the way our country is run and are treated fairly in the process. Our civic responsibilities ensure we contribute to our society in order to keep it going as a strong democracy.
