Submitted to the Australian Newspaper March 1999 in response to requests for alternatives to the draft prepared by then Australian Prime Minister John Howard...

The Australian people, diverse in origin and stewards of a land of boundless beauty, herein declare the principles upon which we constitute our nation:

We hold above all the right of each person to live their life in peace in our community, accepting equally the responsibility for governance of this nation as a democracy under rule of law.

We commit ourselves to mutual growth as one nation, in accord with our neighbors and reconciled of the injustices upon which our nation was built.

We acknowledge original custody of this land by the native Australian peoples and together seek harmony and balance in the use of its riches, protecting vehemently its integrity from all threats raised against it.

Our adherence to these principles shall chart our progress as a nation.

© Greg Morwood 1999