New citizens for ACT on Australia Day 2000
Media Release - DPS 1/2000
One hundred and fifteen adults and twenty-five children will become Australians in a ceremony to be held at Regatta Point on Australia Day, 26 January 2000.
Citizenship ceremonies have become an important part of Australia Day events over the years and this one is particularly significant because it marks the end of a year of activities celebrating 50 years of Australian citizenship. (Until 26 January 1949 all Australians were officially British subjects.)
Although citizenship is a Commonwealth function and applications are approved under the direction of the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, the Minister has authorised senior elected and appointed officials in Local Government (Mayors, Town Clerks etc) to confer citizenship. In the ACT's case, Chief Minister Kate Carnell will preside over the ceremony.
And as new citizens pledge themselves to their new country, many Australians will take the opportunity to affirm their loyalty, because citizenship is something for everybody to think about, not just migrants.
25 January 2000