Speech delivered on 26 January 2026 in Canberra

As others have done, I acknowledge the Ngunnawal people as the Traditional Owners of this magnificent land that we meet on today, and I recognise all other people and families with deep connections to the lands of Canberra and the region. I pay my respects to elders past and present and extend that respect to all First Nations people joining us today.

Thank you so much, Aunty Roslyn, for your warm and generous welcome, and to the Mirrabooka dancers. This is always such a significant part of our citizenship ceremonies, and something I know – and hope – that all our new citizens cherish and will always remember.

As the Prime Minister has recalled, this morning’s ceremony led by Ngunnawal leader Aunty Caroline was very, very special – a wonderful way to start the day.

I’d also like to acknowledge:

• The Honourable Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of Australia and Ms Jodie Haydon  
• Her Excellency Betty Pavlich, Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, and all members of the diplomatic corps  
• Admiral David Johnston AC, Chief of the Defence Force, and the many representatives of the Australian Defence Force here today  
• The Honourable Patrick Gorman MP, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister  
• The many members of federal and state parliaments here today, including from the ACT  
• Mr John Foreman AM, Chair, and all of the staff of the National Australia Day Council  
• The CEO, Mark Frazer, of the National Australia Day Council  
• The 2026 Australians of the Year and the alumni  
• And of course, all of you – our distinguished guests – and most importantly, our newest Australian citizens. 

We gather here today under these magnificent flags, raised by many former Australians of the Year. They form the backdrop to countless celebrations of our identity and purpose, here and overseas. Today, we share these flags with those becoming Australians, who join our long story of unity, success, and belonging.

To our newest citizens: this country is your home, and the home of your children and the generations to come. Australia’s values are now yours, just as your stories are now part of the rich, braided story of Australia.

Often it is our strong democratic system and our Australian values – our culture of acceptance, freedom and friendship, of unity and kindness – that draw you here.

Just one week ago, at Admiralty House in Sydney, I was pleased to meet with leaders from so many of Australia’s faith communities. We spoke together about Australian values of freedom, dignity, unity, respect, equality of opportunity and compassion, and how they align with the values that are central to the many diverse faiths recognised in this country.

Hindu leader Surinder Jain told me how proud his community is to be Australian. He said this: ’our faith makes us unique, but it is our shared commitment to Australian values that unites every one of us in this community.’

Similarly, the Jewish concept of ‘mitzvah’ – an act of kindness – is an expression of those values. We have committed to ‘One Mitzvah for Bondi’ as part of our national project to reaffirm the vital role of care, kindness and respect in Australian life. Even the smallest acts of kindness add to the light and peace at the core of who we all are as Australians.

This morning, we welcome you to this national project and into our Australian family with gratitude and great hope.

As you know, our stable democracy is the envy of the world and the culmination of 65,000 years of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture, the institutions of our democracy and structures of government, and a rich multiculturalism stemming from our generous welcome to migrants and refugees over more than eight decades, as you’ve heard this morning.

In a moment, I will lead all of us – our newest citizens, and all here who wish to join in and who are here to celebrate our national day – in affirming our loyalty to Australia and its people. Part of the promise of Australia is loyalty to us, its citizens, as we live together in peace and with kindness.

I believe that our values of care, kindness and respect are part of what binds us together. They are the light and the warmth and the shelter of our communities – on our worst days and on our best.

On this Australia Day, a day of light, we affirm our faith in this nation, and our hope for our people and our future together.

Now, it is my pleasure to lead you all in the Australian citizenship affirmation. Those who are not Australian citizens but feel a strong connection to Australia are also welcome to participate. You can join in from the second line of the affirmation. And yes, today’s newest citizens are welcome to join in, too – you’ve done it once already, but you may want to do it one more time today.

So, if you are able, I now invite you to stand and join me in reciting the affirmation. The words, for those here, are in your program, and I’d like you to please repeat after me, line by line.

Affirmation  

‘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.’  

Thank you very much, everybody.  

Happy Australia Day.

Thank you.