2. What is the Australian citizenship affirmation?
• The Australian citizenship affirmation is a way for all of us
to reaffirm our commitment to Australia. It is a statement
of pride in being an Australian citizen.
• The words of the affirmation are based on the Pledge of
Commitment made by new citizens at citizenship
ceremonies. The affirmation reads:
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
Making a statement
3. What is an affirmation ceremony?
• An affirmation ceremony is an opportunity for all
Australians, whether by birth or by choice, to publicly
affirm our loyalty and commitment to Australia and its
people by making the affirmation.
• Participation in an affirmation ceremony is voluntary.
Affirmation ceremonies have no legal effect.
• The affirmation must be led by an Australian citizen.
• People who are not Australian citizens are welcome to join
in at the second line.
Australian citizenship affirmation ceremonies
4. Why were affirmation ceremonies introduced?
• Many Australians, particularly those born in Australia,
wanted an opportunity to make a pledge to Australia and
its people in a similar way to new citizens at citizenship
ceremonies.
• Affirmation ceremonies were introduced in 1999 to mark
the 50th anniversary of Australian citizenship.
• Affirmation ceremonies can easily be incorporated into
citizenship ceremonies or other events.
Australian citizenship affirmation ceremonies
5. The affirmation on Australia Day
• Australia Day is a special day for all Australians to celebrate
what we love about Australia.
• Australia Day each year also sees the largest number of
new citizens making the Pledge of Commitment at
citizenship ceremonies all around the nation.
• On Australia Day 2013 around 17000 people from 145
countries became citizens at 430 special citizenship
ceremonies around the country.
Australian citizenship affirmation ceremonies
6. Including the affirmation in a citizenship ceremony
• Incorporating an affirmation ceremony gives everyone
present a chance to participate and share in the occasion.
• Guidelines for incorporating an affirmation ceremony into a
citizenship ceremony are set out in the Australian
Citizenship Ceremonies Code. An electronic copy of the
Code can be found on the Australian citizenship website
www.citizenship.gov.au
Australian citizenship affirmation ceremonies
7. The affirmation on Australia Day
• Australia Day is the perfect opportunity for all Australians –
new and old – to affirm their loyalty and commitment to
Australia.
• Existing citizens can express their national pride and
celebrate being Australian by making the Australian
citizenship affirmation.
Australian citizenship affirmation ceremonies
8. Why host an affirmation ceremony?
Affirmation ceremonies:
• Enhance awareness of Australian citizenship
• Promote community involvement and participation
• Help people feel they belong to their community
• Help build pride in Australians about their citizenship
Australian citizenship affirmation ceremonies
9. Partnership with NADC
• As part of the government’s ongoing promotion of Australian
citizenship and the affirmation, we have worked with the
NADC since 2004 to promote the Australian citizenship
affirmation.
• In 2009 the affirmation website was launched to encourage
event organisers to incorporate the affirmation into their
Australia Day celebrations.
• See www.australianaffirmation.org.au
Australian citizenship affirmation ceremonies
11. More information
• Australia Day branded affirmation cards for your Australia
Day affirmation ceremonies can be ordered from the
affirmation website www.australianaffirmation.org.au
• Generic affirmation products can be ordered throughout
the year from the Australian citizenship website
www.citizenship.gov.au
• More information on the Australian citizenship affirmation
is available on the affirmation website or the Australian
citizenship website.
Australian citizenship affirmation ceremonies
The Australian citizenship affirmation should not be confused with the old terminology for pledge 1 &2 which used to be known as the Oath and Affirmation.
The affirmation must be led by an Australian citizen. This can be anyone in your community, perhaps a leader in your community e.g. an inspiring citizen (your Local Hero finalist or winner), your Australia Day ambassador, a member of your junior council, school president or a parliamentarian.While the affirmation should be led by a citizen, you don’t have to be a citizen to participate. People who are not yet Australian citizens are welcome to join in at the second line.
The first affirmation ceremony was held at an Australia Day citizenship ceremony in Galston Park, Sydney.
As I mentioned earlier, affirmation ceremonies can be incorporated into any event. I’d like to show you another short clip that shows just one example of how an affirmation can be used outside of a citizenship ceremony. As you can see in this clip, the affirmation is more than statement. It is a reminder of who we are and a challenge to make us think about what makes us Australian and our values as a community. The national curriculum for schools now includes civics and citizenship education so our students are learning some of this at school. What better way for students to consolidate this learning than by hosting or participating in an affirmation ceremony?The affirmation is a declaration for some, particularly those who have never made a statement about their commitment to this country, but for others it is confirmation or reconfirmation that they belong. Australian citizenship is unifying force and the affirmation which focuses our attention on being an Australian citizen, generates a sense of pride and belonging.
To finish up, I’d like to lead you all in a short affirmation ceremony. All those who wish to participate, please stand and repeat after me..Questions?
