Mutual respect and tolerance for others

Test yourself on this topic

12 questions on this topic, each with the answer explained.

1. 1. A 20 year old man begins a sexual relationship with a 15 year old girl. What does Australian law say?

   AUSTRALIAN VALUES
   • It is lawful if the girl's parents give their permission
   • It is lawful in some states but not in other states
   • It is against the law in all Australian states and territories
   • It is lawful if the couple intend to marry each other later

   Explanation: A 15 year old is below the age of consent everywhere in Australia, so this is a crime in every state and territory.

2. 2. A friend asks you to help share a racially offensive picture on social media. What do Australian values say?

   AUSTRALIAN VALUES
   • Share it, provided that your own name is not attached to it
   • Refuse, as creating or sharing racially offensive material is wrong
   • Share it only with people who already agree with the message
   • Share it, as material posted online is not taken seriously

   Explanation: Passing racist material along on the internet is treated the same as producing it yourself.

3. 3. A group in your suburb wants to hand out leaflets claiming that some races are inferior. How does Australian society view racism?

   AUSTRALIAN VALUES
   • Racism has no place in Australia
   • Racism is acceptable inside one's own group
   • Racism is simply a matter of personal opinion
   • Racism is acceptable if it is worded politely

   Explanation: Racism is rejected outright in Australia, however it is dressed up or where it is spread.

4. 4. At a football match, a spectator shouts racially abusive comments at a player. How is this viewed in Australia?

   AUSTRALIAN VALUES
   • It is acceptable, as feelings run high during a close match
   • It is unacceptable, as racism has no place at sporting events
   • It is acceptable, because the player is a public figure
   • It is a matter only for the club to deal with quietly

   Explanation: Racial abuse shouted in public or at sport is exactly the sort of racism Australia rejects.

5. 5. During an argument, a man screams insults and threats at his partner but never touches her. How does Australian law treat this?

   AUSTRALIAN VALUES
   • It is lawful, because no physical contact ever took place
   • Violence of any kind, including verbal abuse, is illegal
   • It is lawful if the couple later make peace with each other
   • It is lawful, as arguments at home are private matters

   Explanation: Abuse does not have to be physical to be against the law. Verbal abuse counts as violence too.

6. 6. In a work meeting, a colleague gives an opinion very different from your own. What does mutual respect require?

   AUSTRALIAN VALUES
   • Ending the discussion until your colleague changes their mind
   • Repeating your own view until the colleague finally agrees
   • Listening to them and respecting their views and opinions
   • Asking your manager to stop the colleague from speaking

   Explanation: Mutual respect means hearing other people out, even when their views are not yours.

7. 7. Police at a public event make a lawful request for you to move away from an area. What should you do?

   AUSTRALIAN VALUES
   • Refuse, unless the officers explain their reasons in writing
   • Refuse, because public places are open to everyone equally
   • Obey only if other people in the crowd also decide to move
   • Obey the request, because all Australians commit to the law

   Explanation: Supporting the lawful work of the police is part of the shared commitment to obey the law.

8. 8. Someone insults you badly in the street and you feel like hitting them. What does Australian law require?

   AUSTRALIAN VALUES
   • Respond physically, as long as no serious injury is caused
   • Respond with just enough force to make the insults stop
   • Respond physically, provided you did not start the argument
   • Do not respond, because violence towards a person is illegal

   Explanation: Being insulted does not excuse violence. Using force against another person is against the law.

9. 9. What is the age of sexual consent in Australia?

   AUSTRALIAN VALUES
   • 18 in every state and territory of the country
   • 21, unless the parents agree to something else
   • 15 in every state and territory of the country
   • 16 or 17, depending on the state or territory

   Explanation: The consent age is set by each state and territory, and it is either 16 or 17.

10. 10. Which TWO things do Australians believe in when people disagree with one another?

    AUSTRALIAN VALUES
    • Peaceful disagreement
    • The right to be safe and free from violence
    • Settling the argument by physical strength
    • Keeping all opinions to yourself

    Explanation: Disagreement is normal in Australia, but it must stay peaceful and nobody should feel unsafe.

11. 11. You and a neighbour find that you simply cannot agree about a local issue. What do Australian values expect?

    AUSTRALIAN VALUES
    • Be tolerant of each other where you find that you disagree
    • Insist that whoever has lived there longest decides it
    • Ask other neighbours to take sides in the disagreement
    • Stop speaking to the neighbour until they change their view

    Explanation: People will not always agree, and tolerance is what is expected when they do not.

12. 12. Your housemate makes personal choices that you would never make yourself. What do Australian values expect?

    AUSTRALIAN VALUES
    • Report their choices to someone in a position of authority
    • Ask them to change their choices while they live with you
    • Stop speaking to them until they change their way of living
    • Respect their freedom and dignity, and their opinions and choices

    Explanation: Respecting other people includes respecting the choices they make about their own lives.