Part 1—Australia and its people
Part 2—Australia’s democratic beliefs, rights and liberties
Part 3—Government and the law in Australia
Part 4—Australian values
PART 1 - AUSTRALIA AND ITS PEOPLE
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
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> Oldest continuous cultures and traditions in the world.
> Aborigines are from mainland Australia and Tasmania.
> Torres Strait islanders are from between the northen tip of Queensland and Paupua New Gunia.
> Aboriginal people arrive in Aus between 65k to 40k years ago.
European Settlement
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> 11 convict ship (First Fleet).
> Arrived from GBR on 26th jan 1788
> First colony in NSW.
> Governer of the this colony in NSW was Captain aurthur phillip
> Early FREE SETTLERS came from Great Britain and Ireland.
> 1851 Gold Rush began.
> Gold was discovered in NSW and Victoria.
> Chinese people arriving at this time were the largest group of non-Eurpoean people.
> Population doubled in 10 years.
The Nation of Australia
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> 1901 - separate colonies united into a Federation of States called The Commonwealth of Australia.
> In 1901 Australia's population was 4 million. [Did not include Aboriginal and Torres Islanders]
> Referendum in 1967 when they were included in official estimates.
> Non-British migrants came after world war II.
> Official language is English.
> More than 100 distinct Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.
Australia's states and territories
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> The Commonwealth of Australia is a federation of states and territories.
> 6 states and 2 mainland territories.
> Victoria - Melbourne, New South Wales - Sydney, Queensland - Brisbane, Western Australia - Perth, South Australia - Adelaide, Tasmania - Hobard.
> Territories are: ACT / Australian Capital Territory - Canberra, and Northern Territory - Darwin.
NSW
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- First colony to be established.
- Sydney is the capital
- Nationa's largest city.
- Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House: national icons
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- Smallest of the mainland states.
- Melbourne is the capital city.
- Many fine buildings here built from wealth created by the gold rush in 1850s.
- Mlebourne Cricket ground, 12 Apostles, Royal Exhibition Grounds: national icons
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- Second largest state
- Capital is Brisbane
- Torres Islands are to the north.
- Great barrier reef is to the east.
- Has tropical rainforests, temperate coastal areas, and dry inland.
Western Australia
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- Largest state
- Perth is capital city
- East is desert, south-west is rich agricultural & wine-growing area.
- Has large Mining projects.
- Icons are: Ningaloo coast, margaret river, Kimberley region.
South Australia
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- Rugged coastline
- Famous wine regions
- Adelaide capital city
- Has many examples of fine colonial architecture
- Icons are Borossa valley, and Flinders ranges.
Tasmania
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- Smallest state
- Bass strait separates Tasmania from Australia.
- Icons are cradle mountains, port aurthur, bay of fires.
TERRIROTIES
Australian Capital Territory
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- Nation's capital city
- Several national institutions are located in ACT.
- Icons: High court of australia and parliament house.
Northern Territory
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- Tropical environment in the north and dry desert in the south.
- Darwin is the capital city.
- Icons: Uluru, Kata Tjuta, and Kings Canyon
IMPORTANT DAYS FOR AUSTRALIANS
1. Australia Day
- 26th January.
- Anniversary of arrival of the First Fleet from Great Britain in 1778.
- During Australia Day celebrations, the Prime Minister announces the Australian of the Year Awards in Canberra.
2. Anzac Day
- 25th April
- Australia & New Zealand Army Corps who landed in Galipolli in Turkey during World War 1 on 25th April 1915
- Remember courage and sacrifice of Australians who served and died in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
- Honour courage and commitment of servicemen and women
AUSTRALIA FLAGS
1. The Australian National Flag
- Union Jack is the flag of UK. Represents our history of British settlement and the laws and institutions we inherited.
- Commonwealth Star is under the union jack. Has 7 points - 6 for each state and 1 for the union territory.
- Southern cross to the right is a group of 5 stars that can be seen in the southern sky.
2. The Australian Aboriginal Flag
- Black, red and yellow.
- Top half black - represents aboriginal peoples of Australia.
- Bottom half red - represents earth which has ceremonial significance.
- Yellow circle is sun
3. The Torres Islander Flag
- Green, blue, black lines and while sky with stars.
- Green - land
- Blue - sea
- Black lines - Torres Islanders.
- White dancers head-dress is a symbol of all Torres Islanders.
- White star - represents the island groups.
- White colour symbolizes peace.
AUSTRALIA'S SYMBOLS
1. Commonwealth coat of arms
- Represents national unity
- Shield in the centre represents the 6 states and federation.
- Kangaroo to the left and Emu to the right of the shield.
- Gold commonwealth start above the shield.
- Background is golden wattle - Australia's national flower
2. Australia's national flower
- Golden wattle is the national flower
- Grows in south-eastern Australia
- Bright green leaves and golden yellow flowers - in Spring.
3. Australia's national colours
- Green and Gold, colours of Golden Wattle.
- Uniforms of National sports team is therefore green and gold.
4. Australia's national gemstone
- Opal
- According to Aboriginal legend, a rainbow touched the earth and created the colours of the opal
AUSTRALIA'S NATIONAL ANTHEM
- "Advance Australia Fair" is Australia's national anthem.
- Sung on occasions of national importance.
- First lines of national anthem are: Australians all let us rejoice...
PART II - AUSTRALIA'S DEMOCRATIC BELIFS, RIGHTS & BELIEFS
Democratic beliefs
- Parliamentary democracy: power of govt comes from citizens who vote them to parliament.
- The rule of law: all Australians are equal under the law.
- Living peacefully: chang should occur through discussion, peaceful persuasion, and democratic process.
- Respect for all individuals regardless of background: regardless of race, country of origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, heritage, culture, politics, wealth, religion.
Freedoms
- Freedom of speech and expression
- Freedom of association
- Freedom of religion
Equalities
- Gender equality
- Fair Go: equality of opportunity in society.
Responsibilities & privileges of Australian Citizenship
- Obey Australian laws.
- Vote in federal / territory elections.
- Vote in referendum.
- Defend Australia if need arises
- Serve on Jury if called.
Privileges you get from Australia
- Vote in elections - federal, terriroty and in referendum.
- Get children born overseas to obtain Australian citizenship.
- Apply for jobs in Aus public service and defence.
- Seek election to parliament
- Apply for Aus passport
- Seek consular services / assistance from an Australian official while overseas
Participate in Aus society
- Join neighbourhood and local community organizations.
- Pay tax via ATO.
PART III - GOVERNMENT AND LAW IN AUSTRALIA
1. Voting
- Citizens > 18 years can vote
- Voting is compulsory; you pay a fine if you do not have a valid reason for not participating.
- Voting is by secret ballot
- Australian Election Commission (AEC) is responsible for elections.
- Elections are conducted every 3 years
Federation
- 6 self-governing British Colonies were there before 1901.
- Each colony had its own separate law for everything (defence, immigration, etc.)
- On 1st January 1901, colonies united into a federation of states called - Commonwealth of Australia
Australia constitution
- Australian constitution is called - The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900.
- It's a legal document that has the basic rules for government.
- Was originally passed as part of a British Act of Parliament in 1900.
- On 1st Jan 1901 it came into effect.
Parliament of Australia
- House of Representative (similar to Lok Sabha) / Lower house [151 MPs]
- Senate (similar to Rajya Sabha) / Upper house [76 Senators - 12 from each state (12x6 = 72) and 2 each from Territories (2x2 = 4)]
Courts of Australia
- Highest court is High Court of Australia (similar to our Supreme court)
Referendum
- Voting on specific issues.
- 1967 referendum was to count Aborigines to be counted in the Census - 90% voted Yes.
Power of Government
- Legislative power - power to make laws.
- Executive power - power to put laws into practice.
- Judicial power - power to interpret the laws and apply the law.
Australia's Heads of State
- Australia has a Constitutional Monarchy - Head of state is the King of Australia, His Majesty King Charles III.
- King appoints Governer General as his representative in Australia. (King seeks advise from the prime minister to appoint the governer general)
- Governer general is independent of political parties.
- King does not participate in day to day role in govt.
- Aus system is a combination of UK and US democracies.
Governer General
- Governer General is similar to India's president (rubber stamp), but is an important role.
- King chooses governer general in consultation with Aus PM.
- Gov general
- Signs bills
- Performs ceremonial duties.
- Approves appointment of govt / ministers, judges
- Starts process for federal election.
- Is the commander in chief of Australian Defence Forces
AUS Leaders
Comparison to India
- Governer general - similar to president of India
- MP - same as MP of Lok Sabha
- Senator - similar to Rajya Sabha member.
- PM - same as PM of India (leader of the winning party).
- Premier - similar to chief minister of a state in India.
- Mayor / Shire President - similar to mayor of municipality in India.
- Chief Minister - similar to Lt. Governer of Union Territory in India
How is Australia Governed?
Federal Government / Commonwealth government
- House of representatives
- Lower house
- Australia has electorates (similar to indian districts from where each MP gets elected)
- Aus citizens vote MPs to the house of representatives
- There are >150 members (151) elected to house of representatives
- Senate
- Upper house
- House of Review
- States' House
- Voters from each state also vote to elect senators
- All states are equally represented - 12 from each state and 2 each from territories.
- Senators consider, debate, and vote on new laws or change in laws.
- State and Territory Govt
- 6 states and 2 territories.
- Each state has its own parliament and constitution.
- Leader of state is Premier.
- Leader of territory is Chief Minister.
- In each state Governer represents King of Australia.
- In NT an Administrator is appointed by the governer general.
- Roles and responsibilities of administrator in territory is similar to Governer in each state.
- States have rights recognized by constitution, territories do not.
- States can pass laws; however territory self-governing laws can be alterred of revoked by Aus govt.
- Territory is similar to Indian Union Territory (Pondicherry)
- Local Govt
- City --> Shires --> municipalities / towns.
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OUR VALUES
1. Commitment to rule of law
- Rule of law is above everything and everybody is expected to follow the rule of law
2. Freedom of speech
- People should be able to express their ideas freely, as long as it's within the law.
- Free to meet in public / private places for social or political discussions.
- People are free to say or write about any topic, discussing their ideas with others.
- People can protest peacefully against govt.
- Violence is not tolerated.
- Illegal to make false accusations.
- Illegal to encourage others to break law.
- People's freedom of speech should consider & respect other's freedom of speech.
- Freedom of speech must be lawful.
3. Freedom of Association
- Join or leave a group as long as it is within law.
- Join legal org, political party, union, religious group, cultural / social group.s
- Individuals cannot be compelled to join or forced to leave.
- Can peacefully and within-the-law protest against the govt. no damage to property, no injury. no breaking laws.
5. Freedom of religion
- No official religion.
- People are free to practice any religion.
- Religious practices must not break Australian laws.
- Religious laws have no legal status in Australia.
- When in conflict, Australian laws trump over religious laws.
- Polygamy is a crime.
- Forced marriage is a crime.
- Religious intolerance is unacceptable.
