Equality of all people and the 'fair go'

The yarn

• Australian society values the equal rights of all people, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, race, or national or ethnic origin.
• People from different backgrounds are not given preferential treatment, nor discriminated against. Under our laws, 2 people can marry each other, including marriage between 2 men or 2 women.
• Men and women have equal rights and equal access to education and employment, can vote, stand for parliament, join the Defence Force and the police force, and are treated equally in courts of law.
• It is against the law to discriminate because of gender. It is a right for a woman to get a job ahead of a man if she has better qualifications and skills.
• Both men and women have the right to make their own independent choices about personal matters such as marriage and religion. Physical violence against a spouse or partner is never acceptable and is a criminal offence.
• Divorce is acceptable in Australia. Either a husband or a wife may apply to the courts for a divorce, even if the other spouse wishes to continue the marriage.
• Everyone deserves a 'fair go'. What someone achieves should be a result of their hard work and talents — a person should get a job based on their skills and experience, not their gender, wealth or ethnicity.