Citizenship and Affirmation

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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

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

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.


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.


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


http://www.citizenship.gov.au/

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.


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


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


http://www.australian/

Australian citizenship affirmation website


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.


http://www.australianaffirmation.org.au/

http://www.citizenship.gov.au/

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Citizenship and Affirmation