New Citizens for the Territory on Australia Day 2000
Media Release - DPS 003/2000
About 60 people will become Australians in ceremonies to be held in the Northern Territory 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.
This Australia Day will see seven citizenship ceremonies held in Darwin, Katherine, Alice Springs, Palmerston, Litchfield Shire, Yulara and Cox Peninsula.
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