Libby Coker, Darcy Dunstan have their say on Australia Day celebrations

We asked the major party candidates in Corangamite – Labor’s Libby Coker and the Liberal Party’s Darcy Dunstan – their views on Australia Day and whether local councils should be made to celebrate it. READ WHAT THEY SAID.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton has put councils on notice regarding Australia Day celebrations. Picture: NewsWire / Valeriu Campan.

We asked the major party candidates in Corangamite – Labor’s Libby Coker and the Liberal Party’s Darcy Dunstan – whether they believed all local councils should be forced to hold citizenship ceremonies on January 26, which Opposition leader Peter Dutton announced he would do within 100 days of forming government.

We also asked the pair whether they supported Geelong council’s move to reinstate Australia Day celebrations, thus unwinding a move it made in May 2023.

Here’s what they said.

LIBBY COKER

It’s an honour to serve your community, at any level of government – for me, it’s about helping people to get ahead.

For others it may be different.

Some representatives choose this long weekend to trumpet their credentials as the most “Aussie” politician in town, making sure everyone knows just how deeply they connect to the national spirit.

Some, like Peter Dutton and the Liberal Party, lean into culture wars, stirring the pot on divisive issues.

Meanwhile, some local councils opt to focus on the symbolism of moving citizenship ceremonies to a certain day – it is up to councils to make this decision.

But ultimately, at any level of government, the priorities of politicians are a personal choice. For me, having the enormous privilege of being the member for Corangamite is about helping people to achieve and live their best lives – this is at the core of why I do what I do, every day.

This year, I’ll be marking Australia Day by attending events across the region and listening to what’s on the minds of everyday Australians.

Libby Coker has represented Corangamite since 2019. Picture: Supplied.

I’ll be focused on their concerns, their needs and I’ll take their stories with me to Canberra.

Australia Day is an opportunity for all of us to pause, reflect and recognise the long and storied history of our nation.

This story is enriched by over 65,000 years of First Nations culture and the many generations of people who have come from every part of the world, from all faiths, backgrounds, and cultures.

Together, we have shaped and built a society and democracy that is one of the most robust in the world.

Our stable and peaceful democracy is something we must cherish.

So, this Australia Day, we can acknowledge our full history, celebrate the things that make us different, while rejoicing in what we hold in common.

It’s this spirit that further cements our drive to achieve a better, brighter future, to create more opportunities for our children and grandchildren.

Australia Day is also a time to reflect on those who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation – our defence forces and veterans, who have given so much to protect our way of life.

We also recognise those who, in times of crisis, show us what true Australian resilience looks like – neighbours helping neighbours, strangers offering support when it’s needed most and an outreached hand that embraces difference.

It’s in these moments, when we come together, that we see the very best of our nation.

And it’s by looking to the future together, working towards a fairer, more prosperous Australia, that we can continue to build a country that’s stronger, more inclusive, and united for generations to come.

DARCY DUNSTAN

This week, I’ve been out doorknocking every day, listening to residents from all corners of our community.

One message is crystal clear – the overwhelming majority of people want to celebrate Australia Day.

As a former SAS soldier deployed overseas, I have developed a deep appreciation for the life we lead on home soil.

It has given me a profound appreciation for the freedoms, opportunities, and unity we share — privileges that do not exist in other countries and should never be taken for granted.

I believe we are still the lucky country, and we have far more that unites us than divides us.

This is why the City of Greater Geelong’s decision to reinstate Australia Day ceremonies is a step in the right direction.

I encourage other councils to follow suit.

Australians are, for the most part, a laid-back bunch.

We love our sport, embrace the great outdoors, and enjoy the best beaches in the world.

But in recent years, it feels as though we have lost sight of what brings us together.

The polarisation of debate and division only seems to have widened.

Darcy Dunstan, Liberal Party candidate for Corangamite, is a former SAS soldier. Picture: Supplied.

In recent months, we have seen childcare centres firebombed, synagogues attacked, and Australian war memorials desecrated.

This level of hatred is not welcome here.

While serving in war zones, like many soldiers, we had to confront the harsh reality of potentially losing our lives.

Yet, I found comfort in knowing that, if the worst did happen, my life would not have been lost in vain.

I believe, like so many, that the protection and advancement of our values — the very fabric of our communities — is worth fighting for.

These are the same values that young men and women joining our military dedicate themselves to safeguarding.

Without a sense of pride and purpose, how can we expect anyone to take on these essential roles?

Australians now have a better understanding of our past mistakes.

We move forward with a renewed commitment to acknowledging our Indigenous history and are determined to stand together with First Nations Australians.

Underpinned by our rich Indigenous culture, Australia is also a land of incredible migrant stories — those who arrived for safety, and others for adventure and opportunity.

My fiancee is a first-generation Australian who migrated here six years ago.

Our daughter will grow up learning about the culture, history, and heritage of both nations — the good and the bad.

Australia is built on stories of hope, hard work, and determination.

These values have shaped our way of life and are what will ensure a better future for younger generations.

By recognising where we’ve come from, we can better understand where we’re headed.

Australia Day remains an opportunity to recognise all that and more.

Just as we rally behind our Olympic athletes winning gold or cheer on our cricketers in the Baggy Green, let’s come together, reflect on our past, look forward to our future, and remember just how bloody lucky we are.

Originally published as Libby Coker, Darcy Dunstan have their say on Australia Day celebrations