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Australian Values

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Questions and answers for Australian Values

1. On which principles are Australian values based?

  • Freedom, respect, fairness and equality of opportunity
  • Wealth, status and power
  • Loyalty to a single religion
  • Obedience to community leaders
A is correct. Australian values are based on freedom, respect, fairness and equality of opportunity. They are central to our community remaining a secure, prosperous and peaceful place to live.Our Common Bond — Part 4: Australian values

2. What does a commitment to the Rule of Law mean for everyone in Australia?

  • Only citizens must obey the law
  • All Australians are equal before the law and no person or group is above it
  • Leaders are above the law
  • The law applies only when someone is watching
B is correct. Under the Rule of Law, all Australians are equal in relation to the law and no person or group is above the law. You should follow the law even if no one is watching.Our Common Bond — Part 4: Australian values

3. What are the rights of men and women under Australian values?

  • Men have authority over women
  • Only men may vote or stand for parliament
  • Men and women have equal rights
  • Women may not work outside the home
C is correct. Men and women have equal rights in Australia. Both have equal access to education and employment, can vote, stand for parliament, and are treated equally in courts of law.Our Common Bond — Part 4: Australian values

4. What does freedom of religion mean as an Australian value?

  • Everyone must follow the same religion
  • Only certain religions are permitted
  • Religion must be kept secret
  • People are free to follow any religion, or none, but must obey Australian law
D is correct. Australia has no official national religion and people are free to follow any religion they choose, or none. However, religious practices must not break Australian laws.Our Common Bond — Part 4: Australian values

5. Under Australian values, who is protected equally by the law regardless of gender, race, religion, age, disability or sexual orientation?

  • All people in Australia
  • Only Australian-born citizens
  • Only people who speak English
  • Only property owners
A is correct. Australian society values the equal rights of all people, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, race, or national or ethnic origin. A number of laws protect people from being treated differently.Our Common Bond — Part 4: Australian values

6. What does equality of opportunity, or a 'fair go', mean?

  • Everyone is guaranteed the same income
  • Everyone is given an equal opportunity to achieve success, not limited by class distinction
  • Success should depend on family wealth
  • Only the wealthy can succeed
B is correct. A 'fair go' means everyone, regardless of their background, is given an equal opportunity to achieve success in life, and people should not be limited by any kind of class distinction. What you achieve should result from your hard work and talents.Our Common Bond — Part 4: Australian values

7. What does mutual respect and tolerance for others involve?

  • Forcing others to share your opinions
  • Excluding people who are different
  • Listening to others and respecting their views, even when they differ from your own
  • Avoiding anyone with different beliefs
C is correct. Australia values mutual respect and tolerance. This means listening to others and respecting their views and opinions, even when they are different from your own, and respecting the freedom and dignity of others.Our Common Bond — Part 4: Australian values

8. What is the Australian value regarding violence and intimidation?

  • Violence is acceptable to settle a serious disagreement
  • Only physical violence is wrong; verbal abuse is acceptable
  • Intimidation is allowed during protests
  • Violence of any kind, including verbal and physical abuse, is never acceptable and is illegal
D is correct. Australians believe in peaceful disagreement and the right to be safe and free from violence and intimidation. Violence of any kind, including verbal and physical abuse, is illegal.Our Common Bond — Part 4: Australian values

9. Why does Australian society value the English language?

  • As the national language and an important unifying element of society
  • Because other languages are banned
  • Because it is required by the King
  • Because it is the only language spoken in Australia
A is correct. Australian society values the English language as the national language and an important unifying element of society. People living in Australia should make an effort to learn English.Our Common Bond — Part 4: Australian values

10. What is the Australian value of 'mateship' and compassion for those in need?

  • Only helping members of your own family
  • Helping each other in times of need and looking out for one another
  • Expecting payment for any help you give
  • Relying entirely on the government for help
B is correct. Australians value 'mateship' — we help each other in times of need, such as taking a meal to an elderly neighbour or visiting someone who is sick or lonely. Australia has a strong tradition of community service and volunteering.Our Common Bond — Part 4: Australian values

11. What is true about parliamentary democracy as an Australian value?

  • Laws are determined by the King alone
  • Citizens have no say in how the country is governed
  • Laws are determined by parliaments elected by the people, and voting is compulsory
  • Only judges may make laws
C is correct. Under parliamentary democracy, our laws are determined by parliaments elected by the people, so citizens are involved in how the country is governed. Voting is compulsory, showing the importance of participating in elections.Our Common Bond — Part 4: Australian values

12. What legal status do religious laws have in Australia?

  • They override Australian law for believers
  • They apply only in places of worship
  • They are decided by religious courts
  • They have no legal status; Australian law must be followed by everyone
D is correct. Religious laws have no legal status in Australia. Australian law must be followed by everyone, including where it is different from religious laws.Our Common Bond — Part 4: Australian values

13. What is the Australian value regarding racism?

  • Racism has no place in Australia and is against our values and the law
  • Racism is acceptable in private
  • Racism is acceptable at sporting events
  • Racism is allowed online
A is correct. Racism has no place in Australia. This includes creating or sharing racially offensive material, or making racially abusive comments in a public place or at a sporting event.Our Common Bond — Part 4: Australian values

14. Under Australian law and values, who can marry each other?

  • Only a man and a woman
  • Two people, including two men or two women
  • Only people of the same religion
  • Only Australian citizens
B is correct. Under our laws, two people can marry each other, including marriage between two men or two women. Australian society values the equal rights of all people.Our Common Bond — Part 4: Australian values

15. What does it mean that government in Australia is secular?

  • Religion is banned in Australia
  • The government is run by religious leaders
  • The government operates separately from religion and there is no official national religion
  • Everyone must belong to a church
C is correct. Government in Australia is secular, which means it operates separately from churches or other religious bodies. Australia has no official national religion, and people are free to follow any religion, or none.Our Common Bond — Part 4: Australian values

16. What is the Australian value about physical violence against a spouse or partner?

  • It is a private matter for the family
  • It is acceptable in some circumstances
  • It is allowed if the couple is married
  • It is never acceptable and is a criminal offence
D is correct. Physical violence against a spouse or partner is never acceptable and is a criminal offence in Australia. Both men and women are protected by the law from intimidation or violence.Our Common Bond — Part 4: Australian values

17. How should a person get a job, according to Australian values of equality of opportunity?

  • Based on their skills and experience, not their gender, wealth or ethnicity
  • Based on their family connections
  • Based on their religion
  • Based on how long they have lived in Australia
A is correct. A person should get a job based on their skills and experience, not because of their gender, wealth or ethnicity. The law supports selecting the person with the best skills and experience for the job.Our Common Bond — Part 4: Australian values

18. What is the Australian value about peaceful protest?

  • Protest is never allowed
  • Tolerance of peaceful public protest is an essential part of democracy
  • Protests may damage property if the cause is important
  • Only citizens may protest
B is correct. Australians are allowed to peacefully protest against the actions of the government, because tolerance of peaceful public protest is an essential part of democracy. Protests must remain peaceful and within the law.Our Common Bond — Part 4: Australian values

19. Should you follow Australian law only when someone is watching?

  • Yes, only when being watched
  • Only serious laws must always be followed
  • No — you should follow the law even if no one is watching
  • Only citizens must always follow the law
C is correct. Under the Rule of Law, everybody should obey the law and not break it at any time. You should follow the law even if no one is watching.Our Common Bond — Part 4: Australian values

20. What is the Australian value of freedom of association?

  • People can be forced to join an organisation
  • Only government-approved groups are allowed
  • People must belong to a trade union
  • People are free to join or leave any legal group voluntarily
D is correct. In Australia, people are free to join or leave any group voluntarily as long as it is within the law. Individuals cannot be compelled to join an organisation or forced to leave it.Our Common Bond — Part 4: Australian values

21. What is the Australian value of freedom of speech?

  • People can express their ideas freely, so long as it is within the law
  • Only the government may express opinions
  • People may make false allegations freely
  • Speech that promotes violence is acceptable
A is correct. People in Australia should be able to express their ideas freely, so long as it is within the law. They are free to say and write what they think and discuss their ideas with others.Our Common Bond — Part 4: Australian values

22. Both men and women have the right to make their own independent choices about which personal matters?

  • Only matters approved by their family
  • Personal matters such as marriage and religion
  • No personal matters without permission
  • Only matters about employment
B is correct. Both men and women have the right to make their own independent choices about personal matters, such as marriage and religion, and are protected by the law from intimidation or violence.Our Common Bond — Part 4: Australian values

23. What does Australia expect of everyone living in the country, as part of making a contribution?

  • To rely entirely on government support
  • To avoid community involvement
  • To participate in society and try to support themselves and their families when able
  • To donate to a political party
C is correct. Australians expect everyone living in Australia to participate in society and make a contribution to the community. Everyone has a responsibility to try to support themselves and their families when they are able to do so.Our Common Bond — Part 4: Australian values

24. How does Australia expect people to treat the lawful actions of the police?

  • Ignore lawful requests from the police
  • Obey the police only if you agree with them
  • Offer the police a bribe to avoid trouble
  • Support the lawful actions of the police and obey lawful requests
D is correct. In Australia, the lawful actions of the police should be supported. You should obey a lawful request from the police, because all Australians commit to following the law.Our Common Bond — Part 4: Australian values

25. To whom do Australian laws apply?

  • All people in Australia, regardless of their background or culture
  • Only to Australian citizens
  • Only to people born in Australia
  • Only to people who agree with them
A is correct. Australian laws apply to all people in Australia. This means that regardless of your background or culture, you must follow Australian laws.Our Common Bond — Part 4: Australian values

26. Which of these practices are against the law in Australia?

  • Following any religion you choose
  • Peaceful protest
  • Polygamy (being married to more than one person at the same time) and forced marriage
  • Voting in an election
C is correct. Some religious or cultural practices, such as polygamy (being married to more than one person at the same time) and forced marriage, are against the law in Australia and can result in severe legal penalties, including imprisonment.Our Common Bond — Part 4: Australian values

27. What does Australian law say about divorce?

  • Divorce is not allowed in Australia
  • Divorce is acceptable, and either a husband or a wife may apply, even if the other spouse wishes to continue the marriage
  • Only the husband may apply for a divorce
  • A divorce requires the permission of both families
B is correct. Divorce is acceptable in Australia. Either a husband or a wife may apply for a divorce to the courts, even if the other spouse wishes to continue the marriage.Our Common Bond — Part 4: Australian values

28. What is the legal age of sexual consent in Australia?

  • 12
  • 14
  • 21
  • 16 or 17, depending on the state or territory
D is correct. Australia has very strict laws concerning the age of sexual consent, which is 16 or 17 depending on which state or territory you reside in. For example, a 20-year-old cannot have sexual relations with a 15-year-old, as that is against the law everywhere in Australia.Our Common Bond — Part 4: Australian values

29. As part of loyalty to Australia, what shared obligation do Australians have?

  • Not to undermine Australia's interests and security — for example, not sharing official government secrets
  • To support only one political party
  • To give up any other citizenship
  • To attend church every week
A is correct. Australian society is based on shared obligations not to undermine Australia's interests and security. For example, using social media to share official government secrets, or promoting distrust and fear of an ethnic community, would damage Australia's interests and community relations.Our Common Bond — Part 4: Australian values

30. If you suspect a friend or neighbour may be planning to commit a serious crime, what should you do?

  • Say nothing, as it is not your concern
  • Confront them yourself
  • Report it to Australian government authorities as soon as possible
  • Wait until the crime happens
C is correct. In Australia, we each have responsibilities to help protect Australian society. If people suspect a friend or neighbour may be planning a serious crime, they should report this to Australian government authorities as soon as possible.Our Common Bond — Part 4: Australian values

31. If a person sees or has knowledge of a child being abused, what should they do?

  • Ignore it
  • Report it to the police to investigate
  • Deal with it privately within the family
  • Wait to see if it happens again
B is correct. If a person in Australia sees or has knowledge of a child being abused, they should report this to the police to investigate.Our Common Bond — Part 4: Australian values

32. What is Australia's stance on online abuse, sometimes called cyber abuse?

  • It is acceptable if done anonymously
  • It is only a problem for children
  • It is encouraged as free speech
  • It is not accepted, and many forms of it are illegal in Australia
D is correct. Online abuse is not accepted in Australia. Examples include sharing sexual photos or videos online without consent, stalking a person online, or making racially abusive comments about a person online. Many forms of cyber abuse are illegal.Our Common Bond — Part 4: Australian values

33. What is Australia's position on religious intolerance?

  • It is not acceptable in Australian society
  • It is acceptable towards minority religions
  • It is required by law
  • It is a matter for each community to decide
A is correct. Religious intolerance is not acceptable in Australian society. All people should be provided equal opportunity to pursue their goals and interests regardless of their ethnicity or religion, as long as they obey Australian law.Our Common Bond — Part 4: Australian values

34. Under Australian law, how are people of different faiths treated?

  • Christians are given preferential treatment
  • Only certain religions are recognised
  • Buddhists and people of all other faiths receive the same treatment as Christians
  • People with no religion have fewer rights
C is correct. The law is applied so that people from different backgrounds are not given preferential treatment, nor discriminated against. For example, Buddhists and people of all other faiths receive the same treatment as Christians.Our Common Bond — Part 4: Australian values

35. Under Australian values of equality of opportunity, can a woman be given a job ahead of a man?

  • No, a man must always be preferred
  • Yes — it is a right for a woman to get a job ahead of a man if she has better qualifications and skills
  • Only in certain industries
  • Only with her family's approval
B is correct. It is against the law to discriminate against a person because of their gender. In Australia, it is a right for a woman to get a job ahead of a man if she has better qualifications and skills. A job should go to the person with the best skills and experience.Our Common Bond — Part 4: Australian values

36. What must applicants for Australian citizenship undertake to do about the English language, if it is not their native language?

  • Nothing — English is optional
  • Pass a university English degree
  • Speak only English at home
  • Make reasonable efforts to learn the English language
D is correct. Australian society values English as the national language and an important unifying element. Applicants for Australian citizenship must undertake to make reasonable efforts to learn the English language, if it is not their native language.Our Common Bond — Part 4: Australian values

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