As Australians we're part of the solution (6)
I believe the answer is:
answer
'the solution' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'as australians we're part' is the wordplay.
'part' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'ANSWER' is hidden within 'as australians were'.
'of' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for answer that I've seen before include "Write back" , "Acknowledge" , "Serve" , "Response - solution" , "Solution (to problem)" .)