Children 'should take citizenship pledge'

28 Sep 2011, 2:13 pm   -   Source: SBS Staff
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'Every Australian should know the pledge. Every Australian child should learn it by heart and say it regularly at school', Ms Plibersek said.(AAP)

'Every Australian should know the pledge. Every Australian child should learn it by heart and say it regularly at school', Ms Plibersek said.(AAP)

The government's social inclusion minister says that schoolchildren should pledge their loyalty to Australia regularly at school.

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Social Inclusion minister Tanya Plibersek says all children should take a citizenship pledge at school along the lines of that in US schools.

'American kids pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States and all that it represents; so should Australian children know and understand our nation's citizenship pledge,' she said while addressing the conservative Sydney Institute think tank.

In a speech on the heritage of inclusion in Australia, Ms Plibersek says the pledge is already taken by new citizens, and hearing it makes her 'tear up'.

The pledge in full:

“From this time forward
I pledge my loyalty to Australia and its people,
whose democratic beliefs I share,
whose rights and liberties I respect, and
whose laws I will uphold and obey.”

'Every Australian should know the pledge. Every Australian child should learn it by heart and say it regularly at school', Ms Plibersek said.

'To see and hear new Australians become citizens is a wonderful thing – for these people are making a public commitment to Australia and accepting the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship.'

Minister Plibersek said everyone in Australia must have the ability to fully participate in Australian society.

'The objective of social inclusion is that everyone in our community should have the opportunity to both reach their potential and participate fully in the social and economic life of the nation.'

Modern Australian patriotism 'should be inclusive, not exclusive.'

She said patriotism is about more 'than simply painting our faces green and gold at sporting events, tattooing the Australian flag on our shoulder or wearing a Wallabies tracksuit.'

In the past, 'some on the left..came to see patriotism and pride in our achievements as jingoistic and a bit naff', she said.

'As Southern Cross tattoos and car stickers became cool with one section of Australian society, another part of our community came to see this expression of patriotism as exclusive, boorish and aggressive. '

'All Australians should understand their rights and responsibilities as a citizen of our great nation', Ms Plibersek said.

SBS has approached both the Liberal and Green parties for comment.


 

Tanya Plibersek , Social Inclusion , Multiculturalism

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put your self righteous hand on your heart and say you love me

Trent - from Melbourne, 2 years ago

exelent idea! and how about we sign them all up to the army while we're at it, and shoot anyone who hasnt got the stars and stripes- i mean the southern cross- tatooed across their backside! that'll teach all those non english speakers fleeing abuse and torture in the name of "freedom" a good ol'fashioned lesson in xenophobia! "heil howard!" *said snapping highly pollished boots together at the heels and saluting*

Idolatry, plain and simple

Bruce Bogtrotter - from Vic, 2 years ago

Let's not forget that the Australian flag has the crosses of three Church of England "saints" in the top left corner. Stuffed if I am going to kowtow to any nationalistic church crap.

Labour Fascism

Dr David George - from Karoola Tasmania, 2 years ago

I have voted Labour for 50 years but this so-called Labour Party disgusts me. It is pure Fascism to make children take such a pledge,. Wait until they grow up and can make a choice.

Advance Australia!

Cameron - from Darwin, 2 years ago

There is no need to pledge allegiance to our country unless you are placing yourself in its service.

Counter Productive

Resource Dragon - from Townsville, Qld, 2 years ago

We used to salute the flag every Monday morning when I was in primary school. Even back then, I used to ham it up as much as I could, on the grounds that it was jingoistic propaganda. Young people will reject the pledge BECAUSE it was forced on them in school. Propaganda and brain washing do not belong in schools. The demonstration of positive cultural values has a place, the discussion of values, of Australian values and what they mean do belong in schools.

Mr

Richard Ryan - from Dandenong, 2 years ago

I think it would be an excellent idea, however, i can see it immediately challenged, especially after the Court decision to gag 'free speech' in the case of the colour of aboriginals and whether they use a colour that they don't show to gain favour. The refugees etc. coming into this country now, especially under multicultural degrees have no intention of obeying our laws or traditions, but are very keen to impose on Australian culture their own ideology and any opposition is labelled 'racists'.

Lost though Generations

Peach - from Wollongong, 2 years ago

Being an American in the days of 9-11, I saw how my years of reciting the Pledge of Allegiance kicked in automatically. Pride in the spirit of the people from the country I loved was ingrained from the first day of school. At times, I would dread hearing the same, lame recited words day after day while I was in school. However, all those repetitious verses swelled my heart in pride for my country when it was devastated by an attack. Australia, teach your children well...

mrs

jean salisbury - from sunshine coast queensland, 2 years ago

I agree wholeheartedly with the idea of school children reciting the Australian pledge. I attended a small remote primary school and we used to raise the australian flag and recite a pledge to the country and I think that it is very inclusive for all nationalities of children and gives one a sense of always belonging and having concern for our country and oneanother

Become independent first

Chris W. - from Glenelg S.A., 2 years ago

Freedom should mean not having to be subjected to nationalism and slogans that one may not necessarily agree with. And I certainly agree with the writer who says that we should look at the other lesser known verses of the national anthem. They are disgraceful for an apparently independent nation, implying grovelling to mother england, being of english descent and remaining so, totally ignoring people from other backgrounds. Let us become independent before enforcing jingoistic slogans.

Role model?

Ben - from Melbourne, 2 years ago

Why with all they are currently going through do we still hold the united states up as a bastion of social organization worthy of emulation?

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