People will often say, about liberties and rights and freedoms: “That’s what our Diggers fought for!”
But what have Aussie ‘Diggers’ fought for over 100-plus years: what are they fighting for now? We’re seeking the views of some prominent Australians, including yours. Here are some thought starters.
Below, read what some historians, current Diggers and others believe….
Adelaide Advertiser editorial, New Year’s Day, 1941:
Extrapolating from its editorial, the paper thought Diggers were fighting for:
The best in what we call civil liberties…
The principles of natural justice…
An absence of misery and bondage…
A free association of free communities united under one crown and flag…
The antithesis to authoritarianism…
Full editorial/article: http://snipurl.com/21mlsj
Seventy years later it is noticeable how mainstream ‘liberties’ and ‘freedoms’ were in public debate in the 1940s. For example, a conservative political manifesto had “Liberty” right up front, in its slogan, and featured freedoms explicitly in its manifesto.
West Australian, Monday May 31, 1943:
The United Australia Party (UAP) and the Country Party (CP) platform for the 1943 election under the headline Policy in War and Peace was:
CANBERRA, May 30. – “Victory, Liberty, Security, Prosperity.” In these 4 words the Federal policy of the UAP and the CP for the nation and the individual is summarised in a statement issued here by the Opposition Leader (Mr Fadden). Pledging Australia’s resources to gain victory and an enduring peace, the Opposition parties declare themselves in favour of a wartime Government representative of all parties to achieve a full national effort.
- The policy as set out favours:
- Freedom of worship, speech and expression (limited only by national security considerations).
- Freedom of political and industrial association – but resistance of coercion to compel membership of any association.
- Safeguarding of individual and personal rights against unwarranted encroachment.
- Equality of opportunities, liberties and status for men and women in economic, administrative and social spheres.
- Care and uplift of the aboriginal.
- Participation in international collective action for preservation of peace.http://snipurl.com/21mmtr
This focus on civil liberties was not just a wartime construct, but bound into the DNA of Australians from before federation. For example:
The Association formed by the National party has adopted the motto “Alliance, not Dependence,” and its objects as finally decided are stated to be…
South Australian Register on Wed June 20, 1888:
PROGRAMME OF THE NATIONAL PARTY.
[By Telegraph.] Sydney, June 19.
The Association formed by the National party has adopted the motto “Alliance, not Dependence,” and its objects as finally decided are stated to be…
3. Energetic vindication and protection of the civil and political liberties, rights, and obligations of people, and the adoption of the principle that laws passed by Australian Legislatures shall not require Imperial sanction to render them operative.
(Note: The Nationals of 1888 also wanted a white Australia, and no foreign convicts sent to Australia).
Based on these thought starters, what do you think Australian Diggers have fought for, on behalf of all Australians, since 1900?
- Have the things they fought for changed?
- Were they different in 1914-1918 to what they were in 1939-1945?
- And were they different again in subsequent engagements?
How would you sum up what our Diggers fought for (and are fighting for today, if different from earlier times)?
We would be most grateful if you would put down your opinion in, say, ½ a page to 2 pages. We’ll run as a selection of responses on our website – http://www.cla.asn.au/ – encouraging more debate on what Australians consider their civil liberties are on Anzac Day, and in the lead-up to major Anzac Day celebrations in the coming years.
Please email us your thoughts or you can have your say in the Comment box at below »…