Australia is one of the most successful and most liveable countries on earth.

It is a country that has allowed people from the four corners of the Earth to come and make it their home while maintaining Australia’s own distinctive traditions and identity.

I am enormously proud to be an Australian.

Today as a country we welcomed 12,000 new citizens to Australia.

It is a remarkable step to take to live your life in a new country.

Each will add their own distinctive story to the broader Australian Story and as new citizens, they help us to treasure those things we take for granted.

It was fantastic to welcome our newest citizens to the Hornsby Shire and also join th Rotary Club of Kenthurst for their fantastic Australian Flag Raising Ceremony this Australia Day.