New Australians will write their own chapters in the nation’s story, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said, speaking at the national flag-raising and citizenship ceremony in Canberra.
Mr Morrison congratulated new citizens around Australia for their “great expressions of love for our country”.
“Today, each of you will be endowed with the same rights, opportunities, privileges and responsibilities as every other Australian, no matter how long they’ve been here,” he said.
“You’ll be given the inheritance of our history, and the promise of our shared future. But you don’t come to our national story empty-handed either. Like so many before you, you add your threads to Australia’s rich tapestry. “
Mr Morrison also paid tribute to newly-minted Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott, wishing the tennis champion the best for the Australian Open final.
He also read a poem written by his daughter Lily.
Earlier, in Melbourne a statue of Captain James Cook was vandalised with red paint in Melbourne’s Catani Gardens in a gesture to protest “Invasion Day”.
Protesters are gathering at Canberra’s Aboriginal Tent Embassy – which marks 50 years of advocacy – before an expected march to Parliament House.
While the date of Australia Day remains contentious, a new Roy Morgan poll shows 65 per cent of Australians say January 26 should be considered “Australia Day” – up six points on a year ago – with 35 per cent saying “Invasion Day” is more appropriate.
However, the figures are reversed when it comes to Australians under 25, with 64 per cent in favour of “Invasion Day”.
“Supporters of the date being known as ‘Australia Day’ say the date is a positive and inclusive day … and reject the notion that there was anything resembling an invasion begun on that day,” Roy Morgan CEO Michele Levine said.
“For those who say that January 26 should be known as ‘Invasion Day’ they say the date marks the beginning of the invasion of Australia and the oppression, dispossession, abuse and genocide of the Indigenous people of this continent.”
Governor-General David Hurley said it had been a difficult two years, but Australia was turning a corner with optimism.
“I know there are tough days – we’ve wept with people, we’ve comforted people – but we are at heart a good people,” he said.
“Not afraid of hard work, we’re creative, we’re innovative, and we can take on anything. We’re the product of our past, and the sum of each of our individual stories … (and) that, I believe, is worth celebrating here on Australia Day.”
The National Australia Day Council has supported 534 local community events and activities with grants.
Council chief executive Karlie Brand said it was a day to reflect on the country’s past, present and future, listen and respect each other’s stories, contributions and aspirations and celebrate being Australian together, fair and free.
“We live on ancient country, our history began more than 65,000 years ago,” she said.
“On Australia Day, we reflect on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture and how European settlement forever changed how they lived their lives.”
Among the events supported by the council are a food bazaar hosted by Perth’s Indonesian community, a music and food festival in Brisbane combining the Filipino and Indigenous communities, a joint Afghan-Indigenous community event in Sydney and an Adelaide Mosque Open Day, reflecting on the historical relationship between Afghan cameleers and Indigenous people.
AAP
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