What is commitment to the law?

Commitment to the law means that Australians agree to live within the legal system, to obey the laws made by Parliaments, to comply with court orders, and to seek change through legal and democratic means rather than through violence or evasion. It is one of the values expressly named in the Australian Citizenship Pledge taken at every citizenship ceremony.

Commitment to the law is more demanding than passive obedience. It includes paying taxes honestly, complying with road rules, registering vehicles, declaring income, respecting other people's rights, following workplace rules, fulfilling contractual obligations, and assisting the legal system when called on through jury service or as a witness. It also extends to civic participation such as voting, complying with electoral registration, and respecting election results.

The commitment is not unconditional. Australians can lawfully challenge laws they believe are unjust through several means. They can vote at elections to change the Parliament that makes the laws. They can join or form political parties, write to representatives, sign petitions, and attend lawful protests. They can challenge laws in court on constitutional grounds (such as the implied freedom of political communication) or on administrative law grounds. They can also engage in nonviolent civil disobedience while accepting the legal consequences, as the Australian Conservation Foundation, climate activists, and Aboriginal land rights campaigners have at various times.

Commitment to the law sits alongside other values including the rule of law (no one is above the law), equality before the law (the law applies the same way to everyone), and the presumption of innocence (a person is not guilty until proven so by a court). Together these values create a framework in which Australians broadly accept the legal order while retaining the right to criticise and change it. The broad social compliance with the law is one reason Australia has lower crime rates than many comparable countries and high public confidence in police and courts.