Prime Minister Tony Abbott has promised to finalise by September a draft for amending the constitution to recognise Aboriginal people as the first Australians.
However, he warned against against rushing the changes, saying national debate was needed after the amendment was drafted to ensure it was a unifying moment in Australia’s history.
“We have to be comfortable with it as a nation: black and white Australians, old and new Australians, Australians from everywhere have to be comfortable with it and they’ve got to appreciate that this will be, and should be, a unifying moment,” Mr Abbott told reporters at Australia Day celebrations in Canberra.
”We want it to happen as quickly as possible but a rushed job might be a botched job.”
The Senior Australian of the Year, former federal politician and founding co-chairman of Reconciliation Australia, Fred Chaney, said it was important to work in partnership with the indigenous community to ”enable the Aboriginal people of Australia to have their rightful place in this country”.
Speaking at a flag raising and citizenship ceremony on Sunday, Mr Abbott said it was a fitting day to celebrate new citizens as ”Australia’s first modern migrants” had arrived on the First Fleet in 1788, and acknowledged that his own family was among those who had since migrated to Australia.
”Australia has not disappointed them,” he said.
”My hope is that it won’t disappoint anyone. My duty, as your Prime Minister, is to ensure that, as far as possible, in this great land of ours, no one is left behind.”
At a citizenship ceremony in Melbourne, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten paid tribute to the contribution of migrants from different cultures.
”You have added your cultural energy to ours and enriched our national identity,” he said.
”Welcoming migrants is the driver of our national prosperity and the foundation of our national success.”
Almost 18,000 people across the country celebrated Australia Day by taking Australian citizenship.
Others journeyed to the nation’s highest peak, with more than 1000 people enjoying a barbecue held on Mount Kosciuszko, or flocked to Sydney’s busiest beach, hitting the surf at Bondi on giant inflatable thongs to raise money for surf lifesaving clubs.
Sydney Harbour was the focus of the city’s celebrations, which began with a traditional indigenous smoking ceremony on the water and Opera House forecourt. Hundreds of thousands of people gathered during the day to watch the annual ferrython, the tall ships race, the Australia Day regatta and an aerial display by the RAAF.
In her final Australia Day address the Governor-General, Quentin Bryce, urged Australians to harness their kindness.
After 5½ years in the role, Ms Bryce will step down in March.
Former defence chief Peter Cosgrove is tipped to replace her.
”Ours is a generous country in wealth, in resources, in humanity,” Ms Bryce said.
”We must continue to respect and embrace each other, and look after our neighbours and neighbourhoods. We must harness the kindness in our hearts.”
with Lisa Cox and AAP
Source: Sydney Morning Herald