Australians don’t always talk a lot about the ideals of democracy, but democracy is deeply embedded in Australian ways of life. This report invites Australians to reflect on our ​democracy – to recognise and celebrate its strengths, to acknowledge its vulnerabilities, and to join with common purpose and democratic spirit in our continuing traditions of protecting, nurturing and advancing our democracy - our most precious national asset.

Throughout its history, Australia’s democracy has been tested by the challenges of the times. Every generation has discovered that our democratic values need to be nurtured and safeguarded; every generation has risen to the challenge of protecting our democracy. Examples of Australia’s democratic ingenuity include our electoral inventiveness, integrity innovations and vibrant civil society.

Democracies around the world are struggling with a range of shared problems. Australia is not immune. Global trends are tangling with more localised issues to challenge the foundations of Australia’s democratic strengths: trusted institutions, credible information and social inclusion. While none of these challenges is wholly new, in combination they pose complex and compounding threats to democracy.

The report sets out five propositions:

1. Democracy is a national asset worth protecting.
2. Australians can draw inspiration from our long traditions of strengthening democracy through ingenious means.
3. Australia’s democracy today is strong, but vulnerable.
4. Like others around the world, Australia’s democracy faces a new constellation of challenges.
5. A strong democracy is a resilient democracy. Practical approaches to democratic resilience should combine protection, engagement, and experimentation.