How can Australian society find its way through the winds of change?
Living in Unity with Diversity
This photo was taken at the Melbourne Royal Botanical Gardens 2026 Landscape
Pauline Hansen’s divisive words about monoculturalism have certainly stirred things up. I didn’t agree with her perspective, but it did prompt me to reflect on my own stance on multiculturalism and Australian values. I realised I wasn’t well-versed in either, even though I was born and raised in Australia. Why wasn’t I informed? Growing up, I didn’t give much thought to such things; I just lived my life in the suburbs, with a loving family that had middle-working-class values. The first time I travelled overseas as a young adult and stood in the ‘Alien’ queue to show my passport, I felt somewhat miffed. I thought indignantly, “I’m not an alien, I’m Australian!” It was the first time I’d actually thought about my national identity. As I travelled around that country, I caught myself using Aussie slang I’d never said before, like “no worries, mate” and “fair dinkum.” I was surprised by what came out of my mouth, but perhaps it was my way of embracing my identity as an Australian woman. Since then, I have travelled to numerous countries and have appreciated the opportunity to learn about diverse cultures. That was the extent of my understanding of Australian multiculturalism and values.
Now, I’m searching for a different identity—not my own, but one that embraces a broader Australian society, with clear values and a commitment to multiculturalism. So, I read the official Australian Values Statement. The following list outlines aspects of it: Freedom and Dignity: Respecting the freedom of speech, religion, and association, alongside the freedom not to follow a particular religion; The Rule of Law: A commitment to a legal system in which all people are subject to and protected by the law; Parliamentary Democracy: Laws are determined by elected parliaments and override any conflicting religious or secular laws; Equality of Opportunity: A “fair go” for all, ensuring people are treated equally regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, race, and national origin; English as the National Language: Recognizing the English language as a unifying element of Australian society; Mutual respect and tolerance for others: This means listening to others and respecting their views and opinions, even when they are different from your own. Australian society today: One of its defining features is the cultural diversity of its people and the extent to which an overriding, unifying commitment to Australia unites them. I was excited about the values the Statement presented—aside from the scant nod to First Nations cultural heritage. But that’s another matter entirely! I did wonder, though, why that Statement hadn’t been taught to me in primary or secondary school, but mandatory for prospective Australian citizens to review and sign.
With those values in mind, I began to wonder what multiculturalism might look like in today’s Australia, a nation firmly embedded in the global landscape? Perhaps it could begin by weaving together three vital aspects: 1. The 60,000 years of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who have been the custodians of the world’s oldest cultures and traditions (as written in the Statement); 2. British colonialism over 200 years ago that laid the foundations of Western values and principles; 3. The arrival of diverse immigrants from across the globe. These three groupings can live in harmony with clear Australian values, simultaneously celebrating their diverse sacred stories of meaning and belonging. That’s an Australian society I would welcome.
One final question: Why should we work to create an Australian society that truly lives by the values it claims to uphold? Because we’re living in challenging times; the winds of change are squalling. So, the call of our era isn’t for monoculturalism—unity through sameness—but for multiculturalism, where unity thrives through diversity. Australian values are at the heart of unity, while diverse cultures add richness and vibrancy to our shared nation.
