As we approach Australia Day, I reflect on what this day truly means to me, to my family and to our country.
Like so many Australians, my parents came here in search of opportunity. Drawn to a nation defined by her fairness, freedom and prosperity, their journey reflects the experiences of countless migrants who have contributed and strengthened Australia’s story and our continued success. They built a life here, raised a family, and gave back to their community, because Australia offered them the chance to do so.
On 26 January 1949, the Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948 created Australian citizenship. For the first time, we were no longer merely British subjects. We were Australians in our own right. That moment marked a defining step in the development of our national identity, one that united us under a shared civic bond.
We have since built a modern, prosperous democracy that is the envy of the world. We navigate change without revolution or civil war, resolving our differences through democratic debate rather than division or violence. We are prosperous, stable and free. We are a country where hard work is rewarded and core freedoms are protected.
I am proud of Australia. I am proud to be Australian. This is why I will proudly be marking Australia Day on 26 January to celebrate all that we have achieved together as a nation.
For me, that shared foundation is personal. Australia gave my parents a fair chance, which ultimately gave me the honour of representing our Gold Coast community in the national parliament.
At a time when forces at home and abroad are trying to fracture our unity, I am determined to defend the things that hold us together – our institutions, our values and our shared identity.
In recent years, there has been a push to undermine Australia Day, with some calling for a change of date or branding it as divisive. I reject that. National days matter. They are moments to reflect honestly on our past, whilst celebrating our progress. They bring us together to recommit ourselves to a shared future.
Last month’s Bondi Beach attack was a brutal reminder that unity matters. Moreover, it is needed now more than ever before. Australians responded as we always do – with courage and decency. Emergency services and individuals acted heroically and communities across the country stood together in grief and resolve. That instinct to come together is something we should protect, not weaken.
Similarly, our national flag is a powerful symbol of our shared identity.
I wear our flag on my lapel on most days, and it flies at the front of my office.
It is the flag under which Australian Defence Force personnel serve our nation, and the flag new citizens proudly stand beneath when they choose Australia as their home. Flying it on Australia Day is a simple but meaningful way to celebrate what unites us and the values that define us as Australians.
I love this country with every fibre of my being – for what it has given my family, for the values it holds dear, and for the promise it still carries in the hearts of the quiet Australians.
Australia is not just a place on a map; it is an idea, a spirit, and a shared journey.
It is for these reasons, so many have been drawn to this country. These are the values that have united us for generations. Whether our families have been here for 50,000 years, 50 years, or five years – we share a common identity and a common future.
The Australian story is overwhelmingly one of success. We are incredibly lucky to live in one of the safest and most prosperous nations in the world. This happened not by chance, but by design.
The greatest challenge facing our nation is meeting the challenges of the future together. How we respond as a united people to these challenges will determine whether Australia remains the envy of the world and delivers the quality of life Australians rightly expect.
This Australia Day, I encourage you to fly our national flag, celebrate with family and friends, and reflect on what it means to be Australian.
Happy Australia Day.
