Bert Van Manen (Forde, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

One of the privileges of this role is that we get to attend citizenship ceremonies in our electorates, whether run by us, our local councils or other groups. Many of the people you talk to at these citizenship ceremonies share with us what a wonderful country they have come to live in—a country that values things like freedom, equality, fairness and justice, which many of our newer citizens have very rarely, if ever, experienced in their lives. They recognise the privilege that it is to become an Australian citizen. I go back to my parents coming to Australia in 1964, and what a privilege it was for them. Many of our newer citizens, who have come from the four corners of the world, are from areas of conflict and they have never known the peace and the wonderful lifestyle we have here.

Last week I had the privilege of welcoming 188 new Australian citizens from 41 different cultural backgrounds to the community of Logan City. Logan City is a vibrant multicultural community, with people from over 217 different cultural backgrounds. It is my hope for all of our new citizens that they settle into our country, take advantage of the opportunities that are before them and use this opportunity to build a better future for their families and for their children. I thank them for the contribution they will make in the years to come.

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