Australian Values, Liberal Traditions and Australian Democracy: Introductory Considerations of Government for Contemporary Civil Society

Abstract

This paper considers the values that the Australian Government prescribes for new Australians within its citizenship requirements. It compares them with the liberal democratic traditions of Australia and then logically develops expectations for government in support of civil society. A number of key requirements for a healthy civil society are postulated from these expectations. Some recent events are compared with these requirements as a preliminary cautionary note and as a reason for public scrutiny regarding such intentions, values and traditions. In consideration of such matters, an assessment methodology is proposed so that the spirit of government actions can be evaluated. This introduces an evaluation method by which government might be judged effective or wanting in respect to its support of the traditional values and rights of civil society in Australia.