Extract from the WEEKLY HOUSE HANSARD Database Date: 4 November 1996 (13:15)
Ms HANSON (Oxley) (1.18 p.m.)--I move:"That this House calls on the government to strengthen the pledge of commitment as a citizen of the Commonwealth of Australia into a pledge of loyalty to acknowledge the primacy of the interests of Australia and its people above all others."
"I rise in this House today to call on the government to strengthen the pledge of commitment as a citizen of the Commonwealth of Australia into a pledge of loyalty to acknowledge the primacy of the interest of Australia and its people above all others. I am convinced that the present pledge of commitment given by all new citizens of Australia is now due for an overhaul. I think that Australia's existing citizens expect a firm promise by those who come here to join them as citizens of this great nation to be willing to give a clear and unambiguous commitment of loyalty where there can be no room for higher loyalties to other nations or people."
"Some people may ask, and there will no doubt be speakers today who will question, whether we need to change the pledge of commitment. Many people in this country do not even know what it says or who says it. It is a statement of commitment to be made at citizenship ceremonies and reads:"
"Let me tell you now that anything written as loosely as this pledge, more for its aesthetic appeal than anything else, can and will be interpreted differently by different people. Some individuals will take it to mean whatever they want. The pledge as it stands is a symbolic statement of motherhood principles and seems designed more to make us feel good than to make a real commitment. This is not a bad thing, but I believe that it is only a starting point."
"At any ceremony for granting of citizenship, you can see a number of migrants from a widely diverse background. They have decided to make Australia their home, and we have accepted them here. They will bring with them many fine things that will make Australia a better place, and I think that most will look back on this ceremony as one of the defining moments in their lives. To be asked to acknowledge the primacy of the interests of their new nation over all others should be no difficult task. I believe that most would expect it to be so. A strong pledge of loyalty and allegiance is also an important symbol to those who are already Australian citizens. At no stage should, or do I expect could, anyone fail to see the importance of the fact of changing one's nationality."
"I have been accused of wanting to prevent certain people from coming to this country as migrants. This accusation oversimplifies the situation and has allowed some to throw a neat label of `racist' at me. The simple fact is that the people of this nation have the right to choose who we want to join us--in fact, we have and will continue to do so as matters of government policy. Part of this choice involves making new citizens aware of what they are becoming."
"It does, however, emphasise that what we have in our pledge must be clear and not open to interpretation in ways we do not intend. I believe that our pledge of commitment needs to become one of loyalty to Australia and its people above all others."
"There are at least two good reasons for this. Firstly, anyone coming into the country, being accepted as an Australian citizen, must take upon themselves a clear and unequivocal promise. There can be no misunderstanding, no room for error. They must accept their obligations without reservation or qualification. There can be no `core' or `non-core' promises here. Secondly, the people of Australia must see that new citizens are prepared to make that ultimate pledge. Exchanging allegiance from one's country of origin, with its history, values, laws and customs, to another is an important step. These people have chosen to do so and share our future. I have been accused of lacking detail or substance in what I have said on other occasions, so I will spell out my proposal here. I believe that the current pledge of commitment should be strengthened into a pledge of loyalty which says:"
"From this time forward, under God, I pledge my loyalty--"
Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Nehl)--"Is the motion seconded?"
Mr Filing--"I second the motion and reserve my right to speak."