Jerome Laxale (Bennelong, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The day my parents became Australian citizens was one of the proudest moments in their lives. Becoming an Australian is an affirmation of belonging, a symbol of unity and a celebration of shared values. Attending citizenship ceremonies is one of my favourite things to do as a public official. Sharing that moment with hundreds of new citizens each month makes my heart sing. It's important, it's special and it's good for our country. That's why I'd like to thank the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs for reducing the citizenship backlog to its lowest level in six years.

In the last 12 months, the backlog has been reduced by 30 per cent, with the number of applications now sitting at under 90,000. In the past 12 months alone, over 173,000 people have received Australian citizenship through conferral. That's an increase of 18 per cent on the year before, and our country is better because of it. Average processing times have also undergone a substantial reduction of 42 per cent, with most applications being processed within seven months.

Migration and citizenship make Australia great. Those who choose to live here do so because they want to succeed, and they want our country to succeed, just as my family did. In the past few weeks the Liberals and Nationals have spent their time in this place blaming migrants—

Sharon Claydon (Newcastle, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Member for Wannon.

Jerome Laxale (Bennelong, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

for the policy failures of the Morrison government.

Sharon Claydon (Newcastle, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Member for Wannon.

Jerome Laxale (Bennelong, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On this side of the House, we know that our newest Australians make our community safer, stronger and more prosperous.

Sharon Claydon (Newcastle, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Member for Wannon! That's the third time I've asked you, Member for Wannon.

Stop interjecting and you will hear.