One Australia
Whatever our ancestry, religion, birthplace or background, we share one Australian identity and one national future.
Explore: What Australianism is; Migration, Integration and Belonging
ONLY ONE FLAG
“Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.”
President John F. Kennedy — Inaugural Address, 20 January 1961
Australianism for a United Australia
Many cultures. One Australian identity.
Mateship • A Fair Go • Play the Ball, Not the Man
Australianism is the idea that, whatever our different backgrounds, we share a common Australian identity. It is the bond that enables Australians of different ancestries, religions and beliefs to share our country: Australia.
Only One Flag has been developed to explore what Australianism means in practice and to encourage Australians to discuss the principles, opportunities and challenges that can strengthen our shared future.
What is Australianism?
Australianism is not a demand for cultural uniformity. It is the common Australian identity we share through citizenship, equality before the law, democratic freedom, responsibility, respect, participation and a shared future. Australians can preserve their heritage, faith, family traditions and ancestry while meeting one another in national life as equals.
Australianism does not ask us to forget our different pasts. It asks us to share our future.
THE AUSTRALIANISM CHARTER
Equal citizenship
No Australian should have greater or lesser standing because of race, ancestry or religion. Once we are Australians, we meet one another as equals.
One law for everyone
Australian law applies equally. No individual, government, community, religion or ideology is above it.
Explore: Religious Freedom; Free Speech and Protest; Security
Democracy and freedom
Australians should be free to speak, believe, worship, reject religion, associate, disagree and peacefully seek political change within Australian law.
Explore: Free Speech and Protest; Journalism; Limits of Government
Mateship and the fair go
Help people genuinely in need. Give people a reasonable opportunity to succeed. Treat others fairly. A fair go means opportunity, compassion and fair rules - not guaranteed equal outcomes.
Explore: Australians Who Unite Us; Fairness, Opportunity and Success; Events That Bring Australians Together; Crime, Community Safety and the Fair Go
Opportunity and success
Australians should be encouraged to work, create, innovate, invest and succeed. Success achieved lawfully and fairly should be celebrated, not resented.
Explore: Fairness, Opportunity and Success; Building Australia's Future
Rights and responsibilities
Freedom brings responsibility. Individuals, parents, families, communities, businesses and governments all have responsibilities that should not simply be passed to somebody else.
Explore: Personal Responsibility; Sex, Gender, Fairness and Protected Spaces; Parenting; Responsible Government
Many cultures. One Australian identity.
Preserve your heritage. Practise your faith. Celebrate your ancestry. In our common national life, we meet one another as Australians.
Explore: Australianism Is Not Monoculturalism; Migration and Integration
A common language
English is our shared practical national language and an important means through which Australians participate in work, community and democracy. Other languages and traditions enrich Australian life.
Respect our history - all of it
Australia's story includes its First Peoples, colonisation and injustice, Federation, migration, service and sacrifice, democratic institutions, achievement and failure. Add our histories together; do not replace one with another.
Explore: First Australians; Shared Place Names; Australia Day; Civic Education
Honour service and sacrifice
Remember those who died serving Australia. Respect those who served. Care for those who came home. Anzac Day and Remembrance Day are part of our shared national inheritance.
Explore: Service, Sacrifice and Respect
One national flag
The Australian National Flag is the principal national symbol belonging equally to Australians of every background.
Explore: National Flag and Sport; Events That Bring Australians Together; Protecting the Flag
Play the ball, not the man
Challenge arguments with evidence rather than attacking people with labels. Serious opposing views deserve to be heard and answered.
Explore: Criticism Is Not Hatred; The Other View
A free press worthy of trust
Journalism should distinguish reporting from opinion, present material facts fairly and correct significant errors. Australians should be given the information they need to think for themselves.
Government accountable to Australians
Government exists to serve Australians. Public money should be spent responsibly and transparently, with taxpayers able to understand its cost, purpose and consequences.
Explore: Responsible Government, Spending and Accountability
Personal responsibility matters
Government has essential responsibilities, but it should not unnecessarily replace the responsibilities of individuals, parents, families and communities.
Explore: Limits of Government; Responsible Parenting; Sex, Gender, Fairness and Protected Spaces
Develop Australia's inheritance responsibly
Australia's land, resources, institutions and strategic assets are a national inheritance. Develop and protect them responsibly, judging proposals by evidence rather than mythology, slogans or political fashion.
Explore: Resources; Energy; Strategic Assets
Build for the Australians who follow us
Population, housing, infrastructure, energy, resources, security and public finances should be judged partly by the opportunities we leave future Australians.
Explore: Population and Housing; Energy; AI, Data Centres and Australia's Future Electricity Demand; Government Spending
Think for yourself
No government, journalist, political movement, religious leader - or Only One Flag - should expect Australians simply to accept what they are told. Examine the evidence. Challenge the argument. Change your mind when the facts require it.
Explore: The Other View; Independence and Disclosure
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Only One Flag — Australianism. Many cultures. One Australian identity. A shared national identity built on our history, our values and our common future — because we are stronger together.
Our Australian Story
More than 250 years of history — not just since 1788.
- Indigenous heritage: ancient cultures, enduring nations
- Colonial settlement: foundation, institutions, opportunity
- Migration and diversity: new Australians, new traditions
- Sacrifice and service: veterans, defence, mateship
- Progress and achievement: innovation, arts, sport, culture
- Our shared future: a united, confident Australia
Add our histories together, not replace one with another.
Australianism — Our Shared Identity
Different backgrounds. Shared values. One nation.
Our Core Values
The Australian values that unite us.
- Mateship: look out for each other. We’re stronger together.
- A fair go: opportunity, not privilege. Respect, not discrimination.
- Play the ball, not the man: challenge the argument, not the person.
- One flag: our national flag represents us all.
- Respect and inclusion: different cultures, equal citizenship, shared responsibility.
- Courage and optimism: a nation that faces challenges and builds a better tomorrow.
The Big Conversations
Open, honest and respectful discussion about the issues that matter.
- Dispossession and justice
- Reconciliation and healing
- Treaty and recognition
- Welcome to Country
- Citizenship and belonging
- Veterans and service
- Inherited guilt and responsibility
Different views are welcome. Respectful disagreement is part of Australianism.
Our Goal
To build a stronger, more united Australia — where every Australian feels they belong.
Our Call to Action
Explore. Engage. Be part of the solution. www.onlyoneflag.com
Same country. Same flag. A shared future. In Unity there is Strength.
Australian Flag Photo by engin akyurt on Unsplash