The Australian citizenship affirmation is a short statement that enables

Australian citizens The primary law governing nationality of Australia is the Australian Citizenship Act 2007, which came into force on 1 July 2007 and is applicable in all states and territories of Australia. All persons born in Australia before 20 August 1986 ...

to publicly display their pride in being

Australian Australian(s) may refer to: Australia * Australia, a country * Australians, citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia ** European Australians ** Anglo-Celtic Australians, Australians descended principally from British colonists ** Aboriginal Aus ...

. The affirmation is based on the pledge of commitment made by new citizens at their Australian citizenship ceremony. It allows Australian-born citizens to publicly make the same commitment. Citizenship is a unifying symbol in Australia's culturally diverse society. The affirmation provides a means of expressing that unity.

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The Australian citizenship affirmation states: :As an Australian citizen^† :I affirm my loyalty to Australia and its people, :Whose democratic beliefs I share, :Whose rights and liberties I respect, :And whose laws I uphold and obey. ^†People who are not yet Australian citizens but feel a strong connection to Australia may join in at the second line.

History

Affirmation ceremonies were introduced in 1999 as part of the 50th anniversary of Australian citizenship celebrations. Until then, the only Australian citizens who made a pledge of commitment to Australia, its people and its civic principles were those who became citizens at Australian citizenship ceremonies. The affirmation proved popular with ceremony participants and the Australian Citizenship Council (1998–2001) received submissions from members of the public who supported the continuation of affirmation ceremonies beyond the 50th anniversary celebrations. The council recommended that affirmation ceremonies be included in appropriate formal civic occasions hosted by state, territory and local governments and noted that the Centenary of Federation in 2001 would provide further appropriate opportunities for affirmation ceremonies to be conducted.Australian Citizenship Council, Australian Citizenship for a New Century, February 2000 The 1999 National Schools Constitutional Convention delegates also expressed support for the concept of voluntary affirmation ceremonies for all Australians as a means of enhancing awareness of Australian citizenship. The

Australian Government The Australian Government, also known as the Commonwealth Government or simply as the federal government, is the national executive government of Australia, a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy. The executive consists of the pr ...

supported the continuation of affirmation ceremonies for Australian citizens beyond the 50th anniversary of Australian citizenship (1999) and Centenary of Federation (2001) celebrations, noting that participation in affirmation ceremonies should be

voluntary Voluntary may refer to: * Voluntary (music) * Voluntary or volunteer, person participating via volunteering/volunteerism * Voluntary muscle contraction See also * Voluntary action * Voluntariness, in law and philosophy * Voluntaryism Volunt ...

, have no legal status and be conducted with dignity and respect.

Australian citizenship affirmation ceremonies

Australian citizenship affirmation ceremonies can be hosted by any Australian citizen. They are often held in conjunction with an Australian citizenship ceremony but can also be celebrated as a separate ceremony. Affirmation ceremonies may be included as part of civic occasions, community events, school assemblies or on days of national significance such as

Australia Day Australia Day is the official national day of Australia. Observed annually on 26 January, it marks the 1788 landing of the First Fleet and raising of the Flag of Great Britain, Union Flag of Great Britain by Arthur Phillip at Sydney Cove, a ...

(26 January)
Harmony Week
(held during the week that includes 21 March, which is the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination), and Australian Citizenship Day (17 September). The

National Australia Day Council The National Australia Day Council (NADC) is a non-profit social enterprise owned by the Australian Government and is the national coordinating body for the Australian of the Year awards and Australia Day. It was established in 1979 and inc ...

encourages the inclusion of Australian citizenship affirmation ceremonies as part of Australia Day celebrations. Affirmation ceremonies are conducted according to the guidelines outlined in the Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code.Department of Immigration and Border Protection, Australian Citizenship Ceremonies Code, 2011

References

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External links

Australian citizenship websiteAustralian citizenship affirmation website
Culture of Australia Australian nationality law Oaths of allegiance