Not everybody believed Australia should swear loyalty to Britain. Alongside Australia's imperial devotion, 'radical' white Australians had a different idea of nationalism. The weekly newspaper the Bulletin promoted itself as the 'voice of the bush' – an authentic Australian voice, not one that merely parroted British values. As part of its fervent nationalism it advocated the advancement of the working classes and political reform that would overthrow class-ruled society.

Focus question
NaQ8 According to this article for what reasons should the most dramatic reform originate in Australia?

REFORM SHOULD ORIGINATE IN AUSTRALIA

Strange as the assertion may seem, it is certainly true that it is in Australia that the most sweeping and useful measures of reform should originate. For here the vested interests of wealth and caste are less potent than in any other older and wealthier countries. There are but few and weak traditions to fetter the minds of man, and precedents – such as they are – have not yet become petrified. The will of the people can be more quickly declared in law than in older countries ... And every national problem is here presented in a simple, not a complex form as in older States ... And besides that, it is demonstrable that the intellect of the people is freer, stronger and more original than in the age-old States of Europe, and even America.

'Australian Destiny', Bulletin, Sydney, 19 November 1887, cited in Raymond Evans et al., 1901 Our Future's Past, Macmillan, Sydney, 1997, p. 167.