'A Fair Go' for all

What, then, should Australia aspire to?

Rather than leaving that question to governments or political parties, why not ask Australians themselves?

Searching for Australia's motto - a genuinely national competition?

Imagine a genuinely national competition-not run by politicians, but by trusted groups, open to every Australian, every school, every community group and every individual. Not another bureaucratic or party-political exercise, but a conversation about who we are and who we hope to become.

Thousands of ideas would emerge. Many would be thoughtful, some humorous, some profound. More importantly, Australians would be talking to one another about the values that bind us together despite our many differences.

If I were to offer one contribution, it would be:

One Australia. Many Traditions

Four simple words that acknowledge both our cohesion and our diversity. One civic community, enriched-not weakened-by many histories, cultures, beliefs and traditions.

… And a simple Australian promise:

A Fair Go for All

Perhaps this would capture something uniquely Australian.

One → cohesion and belonging.

Australia → our great land.

Many → diversity and adaptation.

Traditions → our heritage.