Defending the date of Australia Day p.

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Malcolm Turnbull: On Australia Day, we come together and celebrate our
nation and all of our History, as we look forward to our future together. A nation
that is as old as it is new. As old as the 65,000 years of continuous, Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander civilisation in this ancient land; as young as the baby in
the arms of her migrant mother, as they both become citizens on Australia Day.
And that’s why it’s right that our Australia Day ceremonies begin with a welcome
to country, as we honour our first Australians, and conclude with a citizenship
ceremony welcoming our newest Australian citizens. In a world, too often riven
(=torn by) with discord and violence, we have so much to celebrate here, in
Australia, united by our Australian values of freedom, democracy and the rule of
law; here, in the most successful multicultural society in the world. We recognise
that the history of European settlement in Australia has been complex and tragic
for indigenous Australians. We recognise all the complexities and challenges of
our history. But above all, on Australia Day, we recognise and we celebrate our
achievements as Australians. A free country debates its History, it does not deny
it. It builds new monuments, as it preserves old ones. Writes new books, not burn
old ones. I’m disappointed by those who want to change the date of Australia
Day, seeking to take a day that unites Australia and Australians, and turn it into
one that would divide us. Australia Day is a day to come together and celebrate
what unites us, what inspires us, what gives all of us reason to be proud that we
are Australian.