What Will and Kate can do for Australia?

Today, this immigrant nation of ours has more than a third of the population declaring themselves non-Christian and only 19 per cent attending a Christian Church at least once a month. In such a situation any one particular religion has little worth as a source of higher values. Referring in an argument to the importance of 'turning the other cheek' or 'rendering unto Caesar what is Caesar's' carries little weight beyond its literary usage to a large portion of Australians.

If not religion, what about our constitution? It is well formed and widely accessible. It was ratified voluntarily and is inclusive of all. The problem is that it is not widely embraced as a source of values. There are no myths associated with our constitution, no widely known figures whose life stories are retold and remembered.

Ours is a document seen by most as relevant for the High Court and Queen's and Senior Counsels, not to the lives of ordinary Australians. Few if any Australians can quote a section or know how many amendments we've had let alone familiar with who wrote it.

Are there other sources of values? Israel, in addition to Judaism, draws its values from a view of a tenuous existence that in turn inculcates values celebrating its military prowess. It is a powerful force of values that gives shape to their society. Could Australia's 'baptism by fire' mythology of the ANZACS take a similar place? Or is it too late as one government commissioned report (pdf) suggested when it found that commemorating the centenary of Anzac Day in 2015 would be a 'double-edged sword' that could potentially divide our multicultural nation.

The decendants of those who fought in the First World War are admittedly a relatively small number but the legend does carry with it values that are within reach to all regardless of their heritage, values such as courage, self-sacrifice, equality, teamwork and a fair go. With all the necessary accoutrements already available-ready-made myths, stories widely told, poems written, songs sang, classes taught and films shot-it's a worthy option to consider.

A very different and growing source of values is the green movement. Contrary to the criticism thrown at the federal Greens party that scolds them for lacking the hard-nosed pragmatism required to participate in governance, they are a party committed to their values and savvy enough to know when they needn't compromise them. I would be hard placed to find an Australian who couldn't explain what green values are.

Their parliamentary positions reflect this. Each policy fits squarely within a values framework that they embrace zealously. Their party platform is to bring their vision and their values into reality. The problem, though, is that a set of values cannot be imposed or legislated, they must develop organically. The carbon tax is an example of the consequences of presuming otherwise.

This tax is most likely to be repealed under an Abbott government and because of the manner in which it was imposed upon Australians it is unlikely that it will see a return in the near future, no matter what its form. Had the Greens endeavoured to engage the community and develop a consensus, as the green movement had done successfully on so many issues before (recycling, CFCs), carbon reduction legislation may not have been passed in 2012 but a lasting approach would have been not long thereafter.

The lesson from the Green's carbon tax debacle is that in searching for Australia's higher values we mustn't succumb to the inevitable calls for a body of eminent Australians to decide for us what these values should be.

Any such process, though, has to be aspirational. It needs to look towards the best that we can become as a society rather than simply a naval gazing exercise. This is why last year's move by the Girl Guides to change their oath was, to put as polite and positive spin on it as possible, a missed opportunity.

As an important national institution with a powerful position of inculcating values to our youth the decision to replace the pledge to serve God, Queen and country with a vow, 'to do my duty to myself and develop my beliefs,' is a sorry step backwards. Replacing God, who taught to love thy neighbour, the Queen, whose service sets an exemplary example, and the selflessness of the ANZACS with the selfishness of a 'me' generation is incomprehensible.

With so many alternative progressive options to draw from including for example, the Dreamtime narratives of the aborigines (an option that would give pride of place to our country's indigenous in a way that no material effort has been or will ever be able to), that the Girl Guides chose instead to turn to the eternal wisdom of pubescent girls is stupefying.