United People of Australia
What we stand for
At the centre of UPA is a simple idea: we are all Fellow Australians. Regardless of ancestry, culture, religion, beliefs, political views or life experiences, we share one common national identity. We are Australians first.
What United People of Australia is
United People of Australia is a community based around a shared Australian identity.
UPA recognises that Australians have different:
- Ancestries
- Cultures
- Religions
- Beliefs
- Political opinions
- Experiences
- Lifestyles
- Perspectives
These differences do not prevent us from recognising something greater that we share.
We are all Australians.
UPA therefore encourages Australians to begin from what connects us rather than what separates us.
- We do not need to agree on everything.
- We do not need to have the same background.
- We do not need to practise the same religion.
- We do not need to vote the same way.
- We do not need to live the same way.
But we can recognise and respect each other as:
Fellow Australians
Our Shared Australian Identity
We are Australians first
United People of Australia is a national community movement bringing Australians together around a shared identity and a simple principle: whatever our background, we recognise and respect one another as Fellow Australians.
We are Australians first. We are all Fellow Australians.
Rather than defining one another primarily through differences, UPA encourages Australians to recognise one another first and foremost as Fellow Australians.
The philosophy does not require Australians to abandon their ancestry, culture, religion, traditions, beliefs or individuality. It asks that these differences exist within a shared Australian identity.
Australia contains many cultures, traditions, religions, ancestries and individual identities.
UPA does not seek to erase those differences.
Instead, it promotes a common Australian identity that belongs equally to everyone who is part of Australia.
A person’s heritage may tell part of the story of where they or their family came from.
Australian describes what we share.
Our differences can exist within that common identity.
UPA therefore rejects the idea that Australians must be divided permanently into competing cultural, religious, racial, political or social groups.
- Our backgrounds may be different.
- Our opinions may be different.
- Our experiences may be different.
But our common national identity provides a place where those differences can meet.
The philosophy can be expressed simply:
One Shared Australian Identity. Many Backgrounds.
And:
Unity Without Uniformity.
Unity does not mean everyone must be the same.
It means recognising that despite our differences, we belong to the same Australian community.
A central principle
Reciprocal Acceptance
Reciprocal Acceptance is one of the central principles of UPA.
It can be expressed simply:
I accept you for who you are.
You accept me for who I am.
And: we recognise each other as Fellow Australians.
Acceptance must be reciprocal.
No individual or group should demand acceptance from others while refusing to extend the same respect in return.
UPA is therefore based upon mutual respect rather than compulsory agreement.
- People can disagree.
- People can debate.
- People can hold completely different beliefs.
Acceptance does not mean surrendering your opinions.
Respect does not require agreement.
It means recognising the humanity, dignity and equal belonging of another Australian while expecting that recognition to be returned.
That is Reciprocal Acceptance.
Our community principle
Unity Without Uniformity
Unity does not require Australians to think alike.
UPA allows people to belong to a shared Australian community without requiring them to hold the same political views, cultural traditions, religious beliefs or personal opinions. Its purpose is not uniformity of thought.
A strong community can contain disagreement.
Australians should be able to disagree about politics, religion, economics, culture and social issues while continuing to recognise one another as Fellow Australians.
UPA therefore promotes:
Unity Without Uniformity
- We do not have to become identical to become united.
- We do not have to agree about everything to respect one another.
- We do not have to surrender individual identity to share a national identity.
The objective is not sameness.
The objective is belonging.
UPA & political neutrality
Not a political party
United People of Australia is not a political party, electoral organisation or political campaign. It does not belong to the political left, right or centre.
Membership does not require agreement on issues such as:
- Taxation
- Immigration
- Climate policy
- Energy policy
- Housing
- Welfare
- Economic policy
- Foreign policy
- Social policy
- Any particular political party or candidate
Individual members will naturally have their own opinions.
UPA does not exist to tell Australians what political opinions they must hold.
Its purpose is more fundamental. It concerns how Australians regard and treat one another despite those disagreements.
Two Australians can hold completely opposing political views and remain Fellow Australians.
UPA and Aussie Economist
United People of Australia is a new community initiative being established initially under the Aussie Economist umbrella, with its own identity and its own mailing list. UPA’s initial operating costs are covered by Aussie Economist. Joining UPA is free.