I joined Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton for his visit to the Mallee electorate at my invitation on Wednesday to support the Halls Gap community struck twice in a year by bushfires.

I have been impressed with Peter’s strong leadership on many fronts, and as Australia Day approaches, I am proud to be a member the Liberal- Nationals Coalition backing 26 January as our national celebration.

If elected at this year’s election, within 100 days a Coalition Government will reinstate the requirement for councils to hold citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day.

The Albanese Government changed the rules to allow councils to cancel Australia Day citizenship ceremonies and at last count some 80 of Australia’s 527 councils (mostly inner-city councils) have done so. Swan Hill Rural City Council is not holding citizenship ceremonies on Sunday the 26th of January.

Mr Albanese was elected promising he had no plans to change the date of our national day.  If the Prime Minister is breaking that promise he should be up front with the Australian people.  He has learned nothing from a divisive, doomed $500 million Voice referendum.

The Prime Minister’s weakness is on display yet again, giving in to Labor and Greens dominated inner city councils to undermine our national celebrations and divide Australians.

I have enjoyed taking part in Australia Day citizenship ceremonies across Mallee, they are exciting moments where more people from diverse backgrounds are added to the brilliant social fabric of our country. It is a pivotal moment in signalling to these new Australians our view, as a community, on what our united nation represents.

I am frustrated that at some ceremonies the Australian flag is not the only one promoted or given out on the day. Peter Dutton has pledged to appear only in front of our national flag as Prime Minister, something every other world leader does but Prime Minister Albanese addresses the Australian public in front of three flags.

Restoring citizenship ceremonies to Australia Day will encourage Australians to be united, not divided; and to stand up for what we believe in. One flag, one nation.

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