Equality and a 'fair go'
Men and women have equal rights in Australia, and a 'fair go' means people succeed through talent, work and effort rather than wealth or background. Australia has no formal class distinctions.
What to remember
- Men and women have equal rights; discrimination because of gender is against the law.
- A 'fair go': achievement comes from talent, work and effort, not wealth or background. There are no formal class distinctions.
Sample questions
Do men and women have equal rights in Australia?Show answer
- Yes, and it is against the law to discriminate against a person because of their gender
- No, men have more rights in the workplace
- Only in some states
Yes, and it is against the law to discriminate against a person because of their gender. Men and women have equal rights in Australia. It is against the law to discriminate against a person because of their gender.
What does a 'fair go' mean?Show answer
- People from wealthy families should get the best jobs
- Everyone receives the same income
- What someone achieves should result from their talents, work and effort, not their wealth or background
What someone achieves should result from their talents, work and effort, not their wealth or background. Australians value equal opportunity, often called a 'fair go'. What someone achieves should be the result of their talents, work and effort, rather than their wealth or background.
Equality of opportunity helps ensure that Australian society has which feature?Show answer
- No formal class distinctions
- A ruling class chosen by birth
- Separate laws for different religions
No formal class distinctions. Equality of opportunity is meant to ensure that there are no formal class distinctions in Australian society.
Source: Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, p. 20. Read the full booklet on the Home Affairs website.