17 September 2008
More than 1600 people will become
Australian citizens today as part of Australian Citizenship Day
celebrations around the nation.
Citizenship Day events will include
a ceremony on the Spirit of Tasmania passenger ship in Devonport,
Tasmania as well as ceremonies at Perth's Bayswater City Council,
Brisbane City Hall, the grand ballroom at Sky City Casino in
Darwin, the 1st Victorian Sea Scout Hall in Melbourne's Albert
Park, Ayers House in Adelaide and at the Department of Immigration
and Citizenship's Parramatta office in Sydney.
The Minister for Immigration and
Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, will confer 17 people with
Australian citizenship at a special ceremony at the National Museum
of Australia in Canberra.
"Australian Citizenship Day is an
opportunity for all Australians to celebrate the value and meaning
of Australian citizenship," Senator Evans said.
"It is an opportunity for us to
think about the changes that shaped our nation, and to reflect on
the role we play in building Australia and our future.
"It is an appropriate time for us
all to reflect on the responsibilities and privileges of being an
Australian citizen.
"Citizenship is a unifying force for
our nation. We are enriched by people from more than 230 countries.
Our record of welcoming and embracing new arrivals is fundamental
to our identity, social cohesion and future as a nation.
"Through citizenship, we all share a
commitment to values including mutual respect, equality, freedom of
speech and religion, the rule of law and democracy.
"Citizenship means you belong to the
Australian family and enjoy the responsibilities and privileges of
living in the country and through voting to have a say in its
future.
"More than 120 000 people became
citizens in 2007-08. I encourage anyone who is eligible to join
them and formally become a part of our community as Australian
citizens."
New citizens at tomorrow's National
Museum of Australia ceremony will include people from the
Philippines, Brazil, United Kingdom, Germany and Singapore.
"The ceremony at the National Museum
reflects the relationship between Australian citizenship and the
nation's social history," Senator Evans said.
Media contact: Simon Dowding - 02
6277 7860 or 0411 138541
