Dave Sweeney AM says he is motivated by “a vision of Australia that is positive about its future and honest about its past”.

He has been a nuclear free campaigner since the 1980s and is co-founder of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons and a founding member of the Australian Nuclear Free Alliance.

“My work has been driven by a sense of fairness and responsibility and has been motivated by a desire to both celebrate and protect the Australian country and to show respect for the land that has been home to a continuing cultural practice since the first sunrise – or at least 70,000 years,” he says.

“I believe that we are a rich, smart and blessed nation that can and should be a social, cultural and environmental role model and navigation point for the world.

“Our shared planet faces great challenges, and Australia is very well placed to show genuine leadership and offer real hope and more humane pathways to navigating these.”

Dave Sweeney AM was appointed a Member of the Order for significant service to nuclear-free campaigning, and to First Nations advocacy.

He says receiving this recognition showed him how important it is in our country, and why.

“I think the award is important as it has renewed my sense of hope that the real bedrock of democracy – the right and ability to contest ideas and advocate for peaceful change – still has a strong pulse in Australia,” he says.

“I hope [my recognition] will assist in my professional advocacy by reinforcing that the values I and many others hold are valid and reasonable. This doesn’t mean they have to be always agreed upon but should mean they are accepted as a legitimate part of the landscape and discourse.

“One very pleasing outcome from receiving the AM was the real pleasure it has given many in my close and wider circles – I hadn’t expected that and there have been a lot of heartfelt and quite beautiful responses.”