It's time to bring back 'the fair go', 'mateship', 'larrikinism' and 'egalitarianism'. Richo used to say: "The mob will always work you out" and I believe the mob has worked out the Welcome to Country Ceremony as a controlling power-trip, designed to reinforce division in this country. It's a 'you will sit down, shut-up and pay homage'. And that's not what Australia is or was all about. Modern Australia was founded as a penal colony. Criminals worked alongside soldiers and settlers to build this country, shoulder-to-shoulder, until the lines were blurred to the point where we recognised we were all one, with a common purpose, with no individual better than another due to station in society, privilege or wealth. At the heart of it is 'the fair go' and 'mateship' - two endearing and intrinsically Australian sentiments and characteristics. They served us well until the divisive 1970s. Just ask yourself how many times in more recent decades you've heard the terms 'the fair go' and 'mateship'. Somehow, they got lost by the wayside along with egalitarianism and larrikinism. 'The fair go' is that everyone deserves a chance, no matter who they are. What they choose to do with that chance is up to them. 'Mateship' is showing humanity for your fellow Aussie - helping out when a helping hand is needed, a friendly word or deed and a sense of camaraderie - we're all one. 'Egalitarianism' means that everyone is equal, with no-one given privilege or advantage on the basis of race, religion, culture, colour, creed, sex, sexuality, station in life, privilege or wealth. And 'larrikinism' is that irreverent humour where a bloke rides a motorised esky home from the pub and gets just a warning from the local copper; it's 'our Dawn' stealing a flag; it's Boonie drinking 52 cans on a flight to London; it's Ray Bradbury winning gold by being the only one left standing; it's Bay 13 at the MCG mimicking Merv Hughes warming up; it's Paul Hogan's Leo Wanker, Mary Coustas' Effie Stephanides, Rob Sitch's Imran Khan, it's Magda Szubanski's Lynne Postlethwaite, Pixie-Anne Wheatley and Chenille. It's all those iconoclastic ways we take the piss out of the law, stupid rules or customs, ourselves and each other - and note all of those names above. Where are the larrikins of today? Too scared to take the piss out of anyone or anything. We need to get back to our roots that makes us different, that makes us unique and, ultimately, truly Australian. We need to scrap all advantages given on the basis of race not need. We need to stop the soft bigotry of low expectations by excusing poor behaviour on the basis of race or background because this, in itself, is a masquerade of racism: "That's the best we expect from them - it's fine, even if it wouldn't be acceptable from any other group." We need to place merit more highly and reward excellence, not failure or surrender. Let's bring back 'the fair go', 'mateship', 'larrikinism' and 'egalitarianism' wherever and whenever we can - and let's go back to the Australia we once knew and loved.