Anthony Albanese welcomes nation’s newest citizens, says Australia is the best country on earth

Anthony Albanese has one message to Aussies this Australia Day as he welcomed the nation’s newest citizens at a ceremony in Canberra.

Anthony Albanese has urged people to pause and reflect on what Australia has achieved as the “greatest country on earth”.

The Prime Minister officiated the National Citizenship and Flag Raising ceremony in Canberra on Friday – marking the 75th anniversary of Australia citizenship.

He said generations of people had looked to Australia and dreamt of a better life for themselves and their families.

“Australia Day is our chance to pause and reflect on everything that we have achieved as a nation,” Mr Albanese said.

“Everything that we have created and built and learned through all the ups and downs of our history.

Anthony Albanese said Australians should pause and reflect on what the country has achieved. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“The mighty challenges we have faced, the profound opportunities we have seized, the stern tests we have passed – together.”

Sixteen people from The Philippines, India, Japan, Estonia, North Macedonia, Liberia, the US, Uzbekistan, Tonga and Mongolia, became citizens at the Canberra ceremony on Friday.

Mr Albanese said looking at their faces, he could see what Australia stood to gain.

“What you are adding to today is the wonderful and enduring truth that the Australian sense of identity finds so much of its heart and strength in our diversity,” he said.

“The bedrock of that diversity, of course, is the world’s oldest continuous culture.

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been here for so long that the very shape of the continent has changed.

Australia’s newest citizens have been welcomed at a ceremony in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“What an extraordinary privilege it is for their culture to be the beginning of our national story and for their wisdom to be a continuing part of our national life. The enduring foundation of our modern, prosperous, peaceful and multicultural democracy.

“As Australians, we cherish all we have, we celebrate it. And each one of us has the opportunity and the responsibility to add to it.”

Governor-General David Hurley, Labor frontbenchers Katy Gallagher, Andrew Giles and Patrick Gorman and Mr Albanese’s partner Jodie Haydon were present alongside other dignitaries for the celebrations.

Peter Dutton was not present at the ceremony for the second year running.

It’s just the second time the Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander flags have been raised at the ceremony. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

More than 15,400 people from more than 140 countries will become citizens at one of more than 320 ceremonies taking place across the nation.

Mr Hurley described Australians as being “rock solid” as he congratulated the new citizens on choosing this country.

“For flood and fire and famine, (Australia) pays us back threefold,” he said.

“That is the country you have become citizens of today.

“For all it is a tough country. For all it throws at us, it pays us back threefold and the reason it pays us back threefold is because of who is sitting here today, its people. Its people are so good.

“You have made a very wise decision in becoming a citizen here today.”

Originally published as Anthony Albanese welcomes nation’s newest citizens, says Australia is the best country on earth