The Australian way

"Australians are a free people who aspire to a quality of life which is based on equality of opportunity, intelligent and committed effort, mutual support, personal generosity and loyalty to our nation.

We acknowledge the rich heritage of indigenous people who were the first to enjoy life on our continent, as well as the more recent contribution made by settlers who came here from other lands.

It is our tradition to welcome to our shores migrant people of all cultures, whatever their religious and ethnic backgrounds. In doing so, it is our expectation that all New Australians will adopt a way of life that is expected of responsible citizens who want to live in peace to achieve prosperity through a spirit of 'mateship' which is inbuilt into our culture.

Importantly, this includes an unqualified acceptance and observance of our laws.

These laws are based on encouraging equality and providing justice for all, but also make a clear acknowledgement that no laws shall ever be passed that are based on religious beliefs ascribed to any faith.

We live in peace with all who inhabit the world, but we will always rise to defend those who are denied freedom or suffer oppression.

We presume that all who gain the privilege of living in Australia will affirm their wholehearted acceptance of our Constitution, especially the words contained in this Preamble."

It is my sincere hope that many of you who read my words will let me have your thoughts on how these words can be improved. So far, I have laboured over many drafts, this in fact being the eleventh, and I reckon it will take at least twenty before I can get it anywhere near being acceptable to a majority of Australians.

In the final analysis, the purpose of words like these which can begin our Constitution is to create the opportunity for a majority of Australians to personally commit with pride to making a unique contribution to the enhancement of our national life, using their special talents to do something significant that will add to the quality of humanity by which we live.

In my most recent book, The Man on the Twenty Dollar Notes, I record John Flynn's most famous words which concisely set out the personal challenge.

"One day, each one of us must ask ourselves the question, WHY AM I HERE?".