Topic 2 of 5 · Our Common Bond

Australia's Democratic Beliefs

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1. What kind of system of government does Australia have?

A military dictatorship
An absolute monarchy
A parliamentary democracyCorrect answer
A one-party state

C is correct. Australia's system of government is a parliamentary democracy. The power of the government comes from the people, who vote for representatives in parliament.Our Common Bond — Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

2. In Australia's parliamentary democracy, where does the power of the government come from?

From the King of Australia
From the courts and judges
From the police and the defence force
From the Australian people, who vote for their representativesCorrect answer

D is correct. The power of the government comes from the Australian people, because citizens vote for people to represent them in parliament. Representatives must answer to the people through elections.Our Common Bond — Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

3. What does 'the Rule of Law' mean in Australia?

No person, group or religious rule is above the law, and everyone must obey itCorrect answer
Only the government must obey the law
Judges may change the law whenever they wish
The law applies only to citizens

A is correct. Under the Rule of Law, all Australians are equal under the law and no person, group or religious rule is above it. Everyone, including those in power, must obey Australia's laws.Our Common Bond — Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

4. What is freedom of speech in Australia?

The right to ignore any law you disagree with
People can say and write what they think and discuss their ideas with others, within the lawCorrect answer
The right to make false allegations about others
Freedom to threaten people you disagree with

B is correct. Freedom of speech means people can say and write what they think and discuss their ideas with others — including criticising the government — so long as they obey Australian laws.Our Common Bond — Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

5. What is freedom of expression in Australia?

People can damage property to make a point
People must keep their opinions private
People can express their views, including through art, film, music and literatureCorrect answer
Only the government may publish opinions

C is correct. Freedom of expression means people can express their views, including through art, film, music and literature, and are free to meet for social or political discussion — within the law.Our Common Bond — Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

6. What is freedom of association?

The right to force others to join your group
The right to join only government-approved groups
The duty to belong to a political party
The right to form and join associations, and to decide not to joinCorrect answer

D is correct. Freedom of association is the right to form and join legal associations such as a political party, trade union or social group. People can also decide not to join and cannot be forced to.Our Common Bond — Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

7. Does Australia have an official national religion?

No — Australia has no official national religion and government is secularCorrect answer
Yes, Christianity is the official religion
Yes, but only at the state level
No religion is permitted in Australia

A is correct. Australia has no official national religion. The government is secular, meaning it operates separately from religious bodies, and people are free to follow any religion, or none.Our Common Bond — Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

8. If a religious practice conflicts with Australian law, which prevails?

The religious practice prevails
Australian law prevailsCorrect answer
The conflict is decided by religious leaders
Neither — the person may choose

B is correct. Where there is a conflict between an Australian law and a religious practice, Australian law prevails. Everyone in Australia must obey Australian law.Our Common Bond — Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

9. According to Australia's democratic beliefs, how should change to a person's mind or to the law occur?

Through violence and intimidation
Through the decisions of religious leaders
Through discussion, peaceful persuasion and the democratic processCorrect answer
By ignoring people who disagree

C is correct. Australians believe change should occur through discussion, peaceful persuasion and the democratic process. We reject violence as a way to change a person's mind or the law.Our Common Bond — Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

10. How are people from different backgrounds expected to be treated under Australia's democratic system?

People born in Australia receive better treatment
Only citizens deserve respect
Treatment depends on a person's wealth
With dignity and respect, regardless of their backgroundCorrect answer

D is correct. Australia's democratic system is based on every individual having rights and equality under the law. All Australians are expected to treat each other with dignity and respect, regardless of background.Our Common Bond — Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

11. What are the rights of men and women in Australia?

Men and women have equal rightsCorrect answer
Men have more rights than women
Women have more rights than men
Rights depend on a person's age

A is correct. Men and women have equal rights in Australia. It is against the law to discriminate against a person because of their gender.Our Common Bond — Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

12. What does the Australian idea of a 'fair go' mean?

The government guarantees everyone the same income
What you achieve should be a result of your talents, work and effort, not your wealth or backgroundCorrect answer
People succeed only if they are born wealthy
Only citizens are allowed to own a business

B is correct. A 'fair go' means equal opportunity — what someone achieves in life should result from their talents, work and effort, rather than their wealth or background. There are no formal class distinctions.Our Common Bond — Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

13. When Australians gather to protest, what does the law require?

Protests may damage property to be effective
Protests are not allowed in Australia
Protests must be peaceful and must not injure any person or damage propertyCorrect answer
Only citizens may attend a protest

C is correct. Australians can gather to protest against a government action or organisation, but the laws of Australia must be obeyed. Such gatherings must be peaceful and must not injure any person or damage property.Our Common Bond — Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

14. Can a person in Australia be forced to join an organisation?

Yes, everyone must join a trade union
Yes, everyone must join a political party
Only non-citizens can be forced to join
No — people are free to join or not join, and cannot be forcedCorrect answer

D is correct. Freedom of association means people are free to join any legal organisation, and equally free not to join. People cannot be forced into joining an organisation.Our Common Bond — Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

15. Can Australians criticise the government?

Yes — people can criticise the government and campaign to change laws, within the lawCorrect answer
No, criticising the government is illegal
Only members of parliament may criticise the government
Only during an election campaign

A is correct. Under freedom of speech, people can criticise the government, protest peacefully against its decisions and campaign to change laws — so long as they obey Australian laws.Our Common Bond — Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

16. Which value is described as underpinning Australia's democratic system?

The right to avoid paying tax
Freedom of speechCorrect answer
The right to ignore the courts
Compulsory membership of a religion

B is correct. Freedom of speech is a core Australian value and underpins our democratic system, allowing people to discuss ideas and hold the government to account within the law.Our Common Bond — Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

17. Do newspapers, television and radio outlets share the same freedom of speech as individuals?

No, the media has no freedom of speech
Only government-owned media has freedom of speech
Yes, media outlets have the same freedom of speech, within the lawCorrect answer
Media may publish anything without limits

C is correct. Newspapers, television and radio outlets have the same freedom as individuals to say and write what they think — provided they act within the law.Our Common Bond — Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

18. Is it acceptable to promote violence against a person or group because of their culture, religion or background?

Yes, if you feel strongly about it
Yes, during a protest
Only online, where it is allowed
No — it is never acceptable and is against Australian values and the lawCorrect answer

D is correct. It is never acceptable to promote violence against another person or group because of their culture, ethnicity, religion or background. It is against Australian values and against the law.Our Common Bond — Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

19. Are people in Australia free to meet for social or political discussion?

Yes, people are free to meet in public or private places for discussionCorrect answer
No, public meetings are banned
Only members of parliament may meet to discuss politics
Only with written permission from the police

A is correct. Freedom of expression means people are free to meet in public or private places for social or political discussion, as long as the laws of Australia are obeyed.Our Common Bond — Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

20. What is true about the law's treatment of citizens of different religions?

Christians receive preferential treatment under the law
The government and the law treat all citizens equally, whatever their religion or beliefsCorrect answer
Only certain religions are recognised by the law
People with no religion have fewer rights

B is correct. The government and the law treat all citizens equally, whatever their religion or beliefs. People are free to follow any religion they choose, or to follow none.Our Common Bond — Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

21. Australia's democratic system is based on the principle that every individual has what, regardless of their background?

The same income
A guaranteed government job
Rights and equality under Australian lawCorrect answer
Exemption from taxes

C is correct. Australia's democratic system is based on the principle that every individual, regardless of their background, has rights and equality under Australian law.Our Common Bond — Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

22. How do Australians believe disagreements with a government decision should be expressed?

By damaging public property
By threatening public officials
By refusing to obey all laws
Through peaceful means such as discussion, voting and lawful protestCorrect answer

D is correct. Australians believe disagreements should be expressed peacefully — through discussion, peaceful persuasion, voting and lawful protest — never through violence.Our Common Bond — Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

23. Reflecting Australia's Judaeo-Christian heritage, on which religious days does Australia have public holidays?

On no religious days at all
On Christian days such as Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Christmas DayCorrect answer
Only on days chosen by the government each year
On the holy days of every religion equally

B is correct. Australia has a Judaeo-Christian heritage and public holidays on Christian days such as Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Christmas Day. However, the government and the law treat all citizens equally, whatever their religion or beliefs.Our Common Bond — Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

24. Are people in Australia free to choose not to follow any religion?

Yes — people are free to follow any religion they choose, or none at allCorrect answer
No — everyone must follow a religion
Only people born in Australia may choose not to
Only with the government's permission

A is correct. People in Australia are free to follow any religion they choose, and they may also choose not to follow a religion. The government is secular and Australia has no official national religion.Our Common Bond — Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

25. Through which of the following can people express their views under freedom of expression?

Only through speeches in parliament
Only in writing, never in public
Only if the government approves the message first
Through art, film, music and literatureCorrect answer

D is correct. Freedom of expression means people can express their views, including through art, film, music and literature, and are free to meet in public or private places for social or political discussion — provided they obey Australian law.Our Common Bond — Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

26. Equality of opportunity, or a 'fair go', is intended to ensure that Australian society has no what?

No taxes
No political parties
No formal class distinctionsCorrect answer
No private businesses

C is correct. Australians value equal opportunity — a 'fair go'. What someone achieves should result from their talents, work and effort rather than their wealth or background, ensuring there are no formal class distinctions in Australian society.Our Common Bond — Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

27. In Australia's parliamentary democracy, to whom must the representatives in parliament answer for their decisions?

To the people, through electionsCorrect answer
To the King of Australia
To the courts
To the police

A is correct. The power of the government comes from the Australian people, because citizens vote for people to represent them. The representatives must answer to the people, through elections, for the decisions they make.Our Common Bond — Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

28. Under freedom of association, which kinds of legal organisations are people free to join?

Only organisations approved by the government
Only religious organisations
Only one political party at a time
Any legal organisation, such as a political party, trade union, religious, cultural or social groupCorrect answer

D is correct. Freedom of association is the right to form and join associations to pursue common goals. People are free to join any legal organisation, such as a political party, trade union, religious, cultural or social group — and they can also decide not to join.Our Common Bond — Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

29. Even while exercising freedom of speech and freedom of expression, what must always be obeyed?

The wishes of the government of the day
The laws of AustraliaCorrect answer
The rules of your religion
The instructions of your employer

B is correct. At all times, even while engaging in freedom of speech and freedom of expression, the laws of Australia must be obeyed. We must also respect other people's freedom of speech and expression.Our Common Bond — Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

30. All Australians are expected to treat each other with dignity and respect regardless of which of the following?

Only their political views
Only their religion
Their race, country of origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, heritage, culture, politics, wealth or religionCorrect answer
Only their country of origin

C is correct. All Australians are expected to treat each other with dignity and respect, regardless of their race, country of origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, heritage, culture, politics, wealth or religion.Our Common Bond — Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

31. Does the Rule of Law apply to people who hold positions of power, such as politicians and the police?

Yes — no person, group or religious rule is above the lawCorrect answer
No — leaders are above the law
Only politicians must obey the law, not the police
Only during elections

A is correct. The Rule of Law means that no person, group or religious rule is above the law. Everyone — including government, community and religious leaders, business people and the police — must obey Australia's laws.Our Common Bond — Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

32. While exercising your own freedom of speech, what must you also do?

Report your views to the government
Persuade others to agree with you
Avoid discussing politics
Respect other people's freedom of speech and expressionCorrect answer

D is correct. Freedom of speech lets people say and write what they think, but we must also respect other people's freedom of speech and freedom of expression, and at all times obey Australian law.Our Common Bond — Part 2: Australia's democratic beliefs, rights and liberties

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