Doorstop – Canberra | Prime Minister of Australia
ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: Well, happy Australia Day everyone. And this morning, first thing, we had a Welcome to Country from Ngunnawal elders for myself and the Governor General, a private ceremony that was very warm and engaging. And I thank them for it. And then we’ve had this magnificent citizenship ceremony here, part of the 19,000 people who will make Australia their home today. We have had over the years millions of Australians join the family through citizenship. Today’s a day that’s important to celebrate who we are, but also to recognise the changing nature of Australia. The fact that we begin and trace our history back over 60,000 years should be a source of great pride. And I thank Aunty Violet for her Welcome to Country this morning. Of course, since 1788, we have become a country of migrants as well, people who’ve come from all around the world to make Australia their home and pledging today to share in Australia’s belief system and the democratic values that we share. Today is a great day. And it’s been a great privilege to be here as Prime Minister. As Labor leader, I never missed one of these ceremonies here on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin in the National Capital. And it was a great honour for me to preside over the ceremony this morning.
JOURNALIST: Tom Calma has said that it’s disappointing that the Greens, particularly Lidia Thorpe, has made some of the comments she has and is bargaining regarding the Voice. Is that your view? And what’s your response to some of those recent comments?
PRIME MINISTER: I’m not going to engage in partisan politics, whether it’s Lidia Thorpe or others. The Voice is a very clear proposition that will be put to the Australian people later this year. The first part of that is in recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as Australia’s first peoples. That’s where recognition comes in. And it is something missing from our nation’s birth certificate. It’s missing from our Constitution. And I say this: if not now, when? If not now, when will this change occur? And if not the people of Australia this year, who will make this change, which will improve our country, improve our national unity? This is an opportunity for Australia. It’s one that I sincerely hope that Australia doesn’t miss. This is a gracious and generous offer to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as our first peoples. That’s the ‘what’. The ‘how’ is through a Voice to Parliament. I’ve proposed three very clear suggested amendments to the Constitution after the recognition. The first just says there shall be a Voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The second clause says that that Voice will be able, may make representation on matters that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to the Parliament. And the third makes it clear that Parliament will determine, through legislation, the structure and the nature of that Voice. Very clear changes. I haven’t had a change suggested by any Member of Parliament to that wording that was put forward last July.
JOURNALIST: Why should migrants support the Voice?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, the Federation of Ethnic Communities of Australia have indicated their support for the Voice. Faith groups have indicated their support for the Voice. Amar – who’s the wonderful Local Hero of the Year, someone who’s doing incredible work, not just with the Sikh community, but beyond now in providing food and support for people in Lismore, the Northern Rivers and people who need that assistance – very clearly last night wore a symbol of Indigenous colours in order to support the Voice. I’ve had enormous feedback from community organisations across the spectrum of their support for the Voice to Parliament. It is a great country. Australia will be even better when we recognise First Nations people in our Constitution.
JOURNALIST: A lot of people find today a very meaningful day, people become citizens. But there’s also a lot fewer people choosing to celebrate the day. How do you reconcile that? And where do you think we’re heading?
PRIME MINISTER: Well people, of course, will make their own decisions, and that must be respected. Today is a difficult day for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. And that is acknowledged. And one of the things that that, in my view, every year, the fact that Indigenous culture is celebrated, as it was here this morning, is a very positive thing.
JOURNALIST: To clarify, Prime Minister, would you like the date to change? And if so, where would you want it to?
PRIME MINISTER: No, I have no proposal. I have one major change that I want. I’d say to people who are contemplating what their response will be to what has been put forward: can you imagine, next year, the counterfactual. Either we will have a Constitution on Australia Day that recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as our first peoples in this country. That will be an act of reconciliation. Or, if the referendum is not successful, I think people know that there will not be a moment that shows respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, that I think doesn’t show the maturity of us as a nation, non-Indigenous Australians, of who we are, acknowledging the fullness and richness of our history, but also the way that we’re perceived by the world as well.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister Taryn Brumfitt says she wants to meet with you ASAP. I know it’s early days, have you locked in a meeting with her yet?
PRIME MINISTER: She’s been a bit busy, I’ve got to say. We exchanged phone numbers last night and we’ll have a meeting. As Australian of the Year, I think she’s a wonderful choice. She has played an extraordinary role already. But that’s about to step up and that is a very good thing, particularly for young people, whether it be young, young girls or young boys. At the risk of doing an anecdote and I won’t give the details for obvious reasons: last night, I received a a text message from a friend of mine who’s a lifelong friend, someone I grew up with and someone who I’m very close to, who indicated to me that when they were young, when they were a teenager, they ended up across the road from where I grew up in the Children’s Hospital due to an eating disorder, someone who was bullied on the basis of their their body and their shape. And that had a real impact, she was hospitalised for a period of time. And that was something that I didn’t know about at the time, when I was at the same age. This is even more acute today, because today there are cowards who hide behind social media anonymity who are prepared to make judgments. Today there’s so much pressure on people with unrealistic expectations as well. And Taryn’s message, which is very clear, which is just love who you are and love your body, is a message for for everyone going forward. I’m sure that her elevation as Australian of the Year will be very positive just as Dylan Alcott’s elevation made a real difference to people with disabilities.
JOURNALIST: Just briefly on Tom Calma. Are you concerned, given the Voice to Parliament referendum is this year, that it could be seen as a political appointment as Senior Australian of the Year?
PRIME MINISTER: These processes aren’t political. I found out who was appointed when I read out the names. Tom Calma is a great Australian. Tom Calma is someone who was appointed by the former government to undertake the process, along with Marcia Langton, that looked at the structure of a Voice. But Tom Calma is someone who’s been be respected across the political spectrum. And he is a great choice as Senior Australian of the Year.
JOURNALIST: How do you reconcile or explain to people who might be confused by not wanting to change the date but pushing for constitutional recognition, are they not at odds?
PRIME MINISTER: Our history is one that recognises First Nations people, but also recognises that in 1788 the colony of New South Wales was begun with the First Fleet’s arrival. Since then, multiculturalism has thrived, particularly in the in the post-war period. Australia is a part of First Nations history. It’s a part of a migrant country. With the exception of Indigenous Australians we are all either migrants or sons and daughters or descendants of migrants. That’s the missing bit in our Constitution. Our Constitution, our nation’s birth certificate, pretends that it began in 1788. It did not. It should be a source of pride that Australia’s history contains the oldest continuous culture on earth. We share the continent with them. This is a generous and gracious offering of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It shouldn’t be beyond us to have the compassion and good sense and judgment to accept that offer.