our proposals:

• Reintroduce civics education to the school curriculum.

  • Civics is the study of the theoretical, political and practical aspects of citizenship, the structure and functions of Government, the rule of law and our legal system, and the rights, duties and responsibilities of citizens.

  • Civics education seeks to advance individuals' meaningful engagement with, and participation, in the community, civil society and politics. Civics education plays a vital role in healthy democracies, by generating higher levels of political knowledge, facilitating political expression and informed debate, reducing voter apathy, and encouraging public participation by engaged citizens.

  • Our education system has failed to prepare young Americans for self-government, leaving our governmental system in danger of voter cynicism and apathy. The time has come to recommit to the education of our young people for informed, authentic, and engaged citizenship.

• Promote the many achievements of Australians.

  • Australia has punched well above its weight on the world stage. Despite a small population and our distance from the rest of the world, Australia has achieved an outsized impact on the world. Australians are a unique group and high-achievers, and a people of high moral aptitude. Our people have shown grit, ingenuity, and excellence across every field.

    These achievements deserve celebration — and our kids deserve to grow up proud of them.

    Australia's Remarkable Achievements

    Australian Military Achievements: Courage & Innovation

    Australian forces have frequently been among the first to achieve certain milestones, such as stopping specific Axis or Japanese advances, and have excelled in innovative tactics (e.g. General John Monash's combined arms).

    The military has produced highly decorated individuals, with Victoria Cross recipients symbolising the highest standards of gallantry.

    While wars involve immense cost and tragedy (over 100,000 Australian deaths across conflicts), the celebrated aspects highlight our nation's ingenuity, endurance, grit and determination.

    We should never forget the sacrifice of our Diggers, but more importantly their heroics and fortitude in the most brutal of environments. It proves that there is nothing Australians cannot accomplish and that we are a special group of people, especially when we are tested on the World stage.

    Notable Battles & Achievements

    • Charge at Beersheba (1917): The iconic Light Horse cavalry charge that helped secure victory in Palestine.

    • Battle of Hamel (1918):General Sir John Monash led the first major combined-arms battle of the modern era — infantry, tanks, artillery and aircraft working in perfect coordination. All objectives achieved in just 93 minutes. A blueprint for Allied victory.

    • Kokoda Track (1942): Australian diggers endured brutal jungle fighting to halt the Japanese advance on Port Moresby — protecting Australia.

    • Battle of Milne Bay (1942): The first major Allied land victory against Japanese forces in the Pacific War.

    • Battle of the Coral Sea (1942): Pivotal naval battle that turned back Japan’s invasion fleet heading for Port Moresby.

    • Australians have earned more Victoria Crosses per capita than almost any other nation — a proud record of extraordinary bravery.

    Manufacturing & Industry: Wartime Boom to Post-War Strength

    • World War II transformation: Prime Minister Robert Menzies appointed BHP’s Essington Lewis as Director-General of Munitions. Lewis played a pivotal role in rapidly transforming Australia into a major industrial power, producing aircraft, ships, vehicles, munitions and steel to support the Allied effort and achieve greater self-reliance.

      • Built over 3,000 aircraft, including 705 Beaufort bombers, 755 Wirraway trainers, 250 Boomerang fighters and 365 Beaufighters.

      • Constructed dozens of naval vessels, including Bathurst-class corvettes and frigates.

      • Mass-produced vehicles, weapons and ammunition across new and expanded factories.

    • 1948 - Launch of the Holden 48-215 (FX): Australia’s first mass-produced, fully Australian-designed car, proudly launched by Prime Minister Ben Chifley as “Australia’s Own Car.”

    • Post-war golden era: The automotive industry boomed with Holden, Ford and others. By the 1970s Australia was producing nearly 500,000 vehicles a year and ranked among the world’s top vehicle manufacturers.

    • Heavy industry growth: BHP and other steel producers expanded dramatically, powering construction, mining and defence.

    • Peak manufacturing strength: In the 1960s, manufacturing contributed around 25% of GDP and employed nearly one-third of the Australian workforce — a foundation of national prosperity that lasted strongly into the late 1990s.

    Governance & Democracy: Pioneering Fairness and Participation

    • Women’s suffrage (1902): Australia was one of the first countries in the world to grant women the right to vote and stand for federal parliament (building on South Australia’s 1895 lead — the first place globally to give women both rights).

    • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voting rights (1962): All First Nations Australians gained the right to enrol and vote in federal elections.

    • Secret ballot (“Australian ballot”): Pioneered in the Australian colonies in the 1850s and adopted worldwide to protect voters from intimidation and bribery.

    • Compulsory voting (1924): Introduced federally, delivering consistently high turnout (over 90%) — among the highest in any democracy.

    Inventions & Innovations: Ideas That Changed the World

    • Wi-Fi: Foundational wireless technology developed by CSIRO scientists — now used by billions.

    • Polymer banknotes: CSIRO’s secure, durable plastic notes — a world first now adopted globally.

    • Black box flight recorder: David Warren’s invention that has made air travel dramatically safer.

    • Cochlear implant (bionic ear): Graeme Clark’s life-changing device restoring hearing to thousands.

    • Ultrasound scanner: Pioneering medical imaging technology developed in Australia.

    • Spray-on skin: Fiona Wood’s revolutionary treatment for severe burns.

    • World’s first electric drill (1889): Patented by Arthur Arnot.

    • Practical refrigerator: James Harrison’s vapour-compression system.

    Sporting Excellence: Punching Above Our Weight

    • Swimming superpower: Record Olympic gold medals; legends like Ian Thorpe and Emma McKeon have dominated the world stage for decades.

    • Cricket dominance: Multiple Cricket World Cup winners and long-term Test supremacy.

    • Rugby World Cup champions: The Wallabies lifted the Webb Ellis Cup in 1991 and 1999.

    • Rugby League World Cup champions: The Kangaroos winning the Paul Barrière Trophy twelve times, and appearing in every final bar 1954.

    • Tennis greats: Rod Laver — the only man to win two calendar-year Grand Slams.

    • Consistent top Olympic medal tallies far beyond our population size. Proud host of the 1956 Melbourne and 2000 Sydney Games.

    • Field hockey powerhouse: The Kookaburras have won multiple Olympic gold medals.

    Scientific Impact & Exploration

    • Multiple Nobel Prizes: Australians recognised for world-changing work in medicine, physics, chemistry and peace.

    • Antarctic heroism: Sir Douglas Mawson led epic expeditions, survived incredible hardship, advanced polar science and helped establish Australia’s Antarctic claims.