Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomes new citizens at Australia Day ceremony
Anthony Albanese has welcomed a group of newly minted Aussies to the country with a message of hope.
Speaking at the Australia Day citizenship ceremony on Monday, the Prime Minister referenced the first such event in 1949, describing the seven people from seven nations who were welcomed into the “Australian family” by the then Prime Minister Ben Chifley.
Mr Chifley’s description of Australia as a nation “in which great opportunities will present themselves” and a country “where democracy is not just a platitude but something which is practised” still rang true to this day, Mr Albanese said.
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“Whether we are Australian by birth or by choice, we all share the opportunity, the privilege and the responsibility of being part of something extraordinary,” he said.
Mr Albanese reiterated the pledge made by the group of incoming Aussies was informed by the respect for “common humanity” that defined modern Australia.
“Thank you to all of you who have made the choice to embrace that today,” he said.
New citizens at the ceremony came from countries including India, New Zealand, Turkey, the US, Nigeria, Malaysia, Nepal, and the UK, with about 18,000 across the country to be inducted on January 26 as Aussies.
Governor-General Sam Mostyn also welcomed the group, telling them: “This country is your home and the home of your children and the generations to come.
“Australia’s values are now yours, just as your stories are now part of the rich, braided story of Australia.”
Often it was the nation’s strong, democratic system and values of acceptance, freedom, friendship, unity and kindness that drew citizen hopefuls to the country, Ms Mostyn said.
“As you know, our stable democracy is the envy of the world and the culmination of 65,000 years of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture, the institutions of our democracy and structures of government, and the rich multiculturalism stemming from our generous welcome to migrants and refugees over more than eight decades,” she said.
Kindness was at the heart of the nation’s character, Ms Mostyn said, before welcoming the group into the “Australian family with gratitude and great hope”.
NSW’s WugulOra morning ceremony
Hundreds gathered at Sydney’s Barangaroo Reserve beneath the Sydney Harbour Bridge to witness the annual WugulOra morning ceremony on Monday.
WugulOra, which means “One Mob” in the local Gadigal language, celebrates the culture of the Gadigal people of the Eora nation through dance, song and storytelling.
The event featured speeches from state governor Margaret Beazley, NSW Premier Chris Minns and an address from the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council, alongside a smoking ceremony and special performances.
‘Close partnership’: Praise from Washington
US State Secretary Marco Rubio was among the first to congratulate Australia on its national day.
In a statement released at midnight, he praised the US and Australia’s “close partnership”, pointing to deep defence, economic and political ties.
“On behalf of the United States of America, I extend my best wishes to Australians everywhere as you celebrate Australia Day on January 26,” Mr Rubio said.
“The United States and Australia are bound by a longstanding alliance, strengthened over the 75 years since the signing of the ANZUS Treaty.
“Over the past year, our defence, economic, and security co-operation has deepened, reflecting our shared commitment to democratic values, regional stability, and mutual prosperity.”
He highlighted AUKUS as an example of Australia and the US jointly “advancing deterrence, emerging technologies, and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific”, adding that Canberra’s “leadership in developing secure and reliable supply chains” for critical minerals was also “central to these shared efforts”.
“Our economic relationship continues to shine, marked by strong trade and record levels of two-way investment,” Mr Rubio said.
“Together, we are well-positioned to meet future challenges and opportunities.”
He also acknowledged the Bondi terror attack, which claimed the lives of 15 innocents and injured dozens more.
He said the US “continues to stand in solidarity with the loved ones of the fallen victims and Australia’s Jewish community” and it remained “committed to confronting and defeating the evil of anti-Semitism”.
Meanwhile, Australia’s outgoing envoy in Washington, Kevin Rudd, took to social media to wish all Australians in the US and across the world a happy Australia Day.
“Happy Australia Day to all Australians here in the USA, and all our friends back home and around the world, from the midst of a Washington blizzard!” he posted, sharing a video of an Australian flag flapping in the US’s snow-swept capital.
Originally published as Anthony Albanese inducts new citizens at Australia Day citizenship ceremony
