Australia Day: Tough times but future is bright, says Scott Morrison

Scott Morrison says Australians should be optimistic about the future ahead, as he expressed his love and gratitude to the nation by reading a poem written by his 12-year old daughter Lily.

Scott Morrison speaks in Canberra on Wednesday. Picture: Getty Images

Scott Morrison says Australians should be optimistic about the ­future, as he paid tribute to frontline workers through what he called some of the “toughest years” for the nation since the Great ­Depression.

During the national citizenship ceremony held in Canberra on Wednesday, the Prime Minister honoured Indigenous and non-­Indigenous Australians and said Australia was the “most successful and multi-faith nation on Earth”.

He said Australians had shown true strength and grit in recent times, but acknowledged the “great hardship” experienced by many.

“In recent times, our national story has once again been one of terrible and great hardship,” Mr Morrison said.

“Times of loss, drought, floods, cyclones, plagues, fires, the ­global pandemic and the recession and hardship it has caused,’’ he said. “These have been some of the toughest years, if not the toughest, we have known since times of war and the Great ­Depression.

“And at such times we are sustained by many things – our family, our friends, our community, our faith. And we are thankful. ­

“Despite all we have endured and the challenges that are still ahead, I am just thankful to be an Australian and to live in Australia with my family – this land we call home.”

Mr Morrison welcomed 16,000 people who became Australian citizens, encouraging them to add their “threads to Australia’s rich tapestry” and to write their “own chapters” in the national story.

“Today, each of you will be ­endowed with the same rights, ­opportunities, privileges and ­responsibilities as every other Australian,” he said.

“You will be given the inheritance of our history and the promise of our shared future.”

The Prime Minister also congratulated Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott, and wished him well before he competes in the Australian Open final in Melbourne on Thursday.

Anthony Albanese, who attended the citizenship ceremony, also described Australia as the “most successful multicultural nat­ion on Earth”. The Opposition Leader said Australia Day was a time to celebrate the strengths of the country, while also reflecting on how it could be improved in the future.

Mr Albanese pledged to recognise First Nations Australians by establishing a voice to parliament if he is elected prime minister, saying Australia should be proud to be home to the oldest continuous civilisation on the planet.

“I’m very confident that Australia’s best days are ahead of us,” he said, “because we know that history didn’t end with the First Fleet.

“For all of our history, we need to consider the good and the bad. We are a great nation. I look forward to us being even greater in the future.

“And one way we can do that is by recognising our full history.

“We’ve continued to develop as a multicultural nation and evolve.”

Mr Albanese was forced to ­defend accusations he had snubbed the Prime Minister when he opted not to shake his hand during the ceremony, citing health advice that had advised people against it.

He labelled outgoing Australian of the Year Grace Tame a “courageous Australian” and congratulated Alcott.