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19,000 people become Australian citizens making country ‘more fair, more prosperous, more equal’, PM says

Albanese goes on to welcome the newest Australians, who are minutes away from becoming citizens:

Today, all over our nation, over 19,000 people from every part of the world, drawn from every faith and every background, will be pledging their loyalty to their new home, to Australia, to our democratic beliefs, to our laws, our values and our people.

Joining our Australian family, joining us as proud citizens of the greatest country on earth, and joining us as partners in the ongoing task of making it greater still – more fair, more prosperous, more equal.

I am honoured to have this chance to personally welcome all of you here to take the pledge of citizenship, hailing from Nigeria, Mexico, Thailand, Brazil, the United Kingdom and Iran, Egypt, Malaysia and the United States of America.

Albanese says many of the skills the new citizens bring are essential workers such as community and mental health support workers. He also gives a particular shoutout to the “not one but two astronomers”:

Looking through the list of occupations here today, it is a roll call of the skills that Australia once and we need. Disability, community and mental health support workers, scientists, pharmacists, a mechanical estimator, administrators, cleaners, accountants and customer service professionals, and not one but two astronomers. Welcome! If anyone can help our nation reach for the stars it is you!

Speaking of stars, it is also so special to see the children with you here today as well, our young Australian so full of energy and potential. I want you to know that you are now becoming citizens of a country that, no matter where you live or who you worship, no matter who you love or what your last name is, you can write your own future.