New citizens welcomed

By Vanessa Parker

Thirty people, including four children, became new Australian citizens last Monday at a ceremony hosted by Moorabool Shire Council Mayor Cr Rod Ward.

The newest Moorabool citizens have travelled from countries across the globe including Brazil, United Kingdom, India, Netherlands, Canada, Philippines, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Cyprus, Iran, Poland, China, Ireland and Germany.

New Australian citizens demonstrate an understanding and acceptance of Australian values, dedication and commitment to Australia by becoming official citizens at ceremonies held around the country.

Cr Rod Ward said the event is a significant event in Council’s calendar and is an opportunity to reflect on the privilege of Australian citizenship and what it means to be Australian.

“There is no greater privilege than our citizenship. It’s a life-long commitment to Australia’s values of freedom, democracy, equality and respect,” Cr Ward said.

New citizens have a choice between taking an affirmation, introduced in 1999, or an oath.

Sam Rae, Federal Member for Hawke read out the Minister’s Message and encouraged the new citizens to look for the electoral commission documents in their packs.

“These documents will allow you to enrol to vote, and this year you are going to get the opportunity to vote in a referendum. A referendum to recognise the First Nations People of our Country in our constitution,” he said.

“This is a critical step on the pathway to reconciliation for the First Peoples of this Country and all of us.”

One Councillor took to Urgent Business at the Ordinary Meeting of Council last week to express his dissatisfaction with Mr Rae’s actions.

“The Federal Member has turned this into a political soapbox; when citizenship ceremonies are not political, never have been and never should be. These new citizens are coming into a democracy and I do not know if it is appropriate. The Federal Member needs to understand what the rules of engagement are if he does come to these events.”

Cr Tatchell said he thought it was also inappropriate for the Federal Member to read out the Ministers Message, when the presiding officer (the Mayor) should be.

“As the presiding officer it is your delegation, it is your citizenship ceremony. My question is, has something changed where he takes that delegation away, I doubt it?”

Cr Ward handed out citizenship certificates with Mr Rae handing out native plants to the new citizens.

Member for Western Victoria Region Joe McCracken, attended the ceremony alongside Moorabool Councillors Tonia Dudzik and Moira Berry.