The spirit of Australia Day is something which we badly needed.
A moment to look forward. To kick-start a sense of unity and positivity in the wake of the terrible slaughter of 15 innocents at Bondi Beach and the fractious parliamentary response.
It is not overstating matters to consider that the nation may have arrived at a potential fork in the road.
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On one road we can travel together, united by our sense of gratitude at living here, whether by winning the lottery of birth or by a conscious choice to start life anew here.
The other road will take us towards a very different future. A divided, unhappy future.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese struck the right tone on Monday at a citizenship ceremony in Canberra.
“Whether we are Australian by birth or by choice we all share the opportunity, the privilege and also the responsibility of being part of something quite extraordinary,” the Prime Minister said.
“A nation built with hope and hard work with aspiration and determination, a society guided by freedom and fairness, compassion and courage.
“A democracy where every citizen is equal.
“A country united and liberated by the Australian covenant, a commitment that every citizen makes to our nation and a promise our people make to each other. To leave behind the burden of old prejudices and hatreds.
“Because at the very heart of the pledge that you make today to our laws, to our values and to our people is the respect for our common humanity that defines Australia.
“Love, not hate. Hope, not fear. Optimism, not negativity. And, indeed, unity, not division. That is the Australia of 2025,” Mr Albanese said.
Citizenship ceremonies across the country, filled with gratitude and hope, echoed those sentiments.
And yet the opposite was felt at protests and counter protests which spilled onto the streets.
Amid the anger was graffiti proclaiming “Abolish Australia” on a monument in Melbourne, and Indigenous elders at Brisbane’s Invasion Day protest setting an Australian flag alight.
A march in Sydney included Aboriginal flags as well as Palestinian flags. Chants included “Always was, always will be, Aboriginal land” and “Palestine will be free” and “globalise the intifada”.
A rival March for Australia rally in Sydney heard chants to free a jailed neo-Nazi.
The scenes of division contrasted sharply with what the overwhelming bulk of Australians want — a day to spend time with family and friends, enjoy the outdoors or the entertainment or activities that mark the holiday.
Of course there is plenty to reflect on at this time. The date of Australia Day remains contentious.
And the right to peaceful protest is built into our psyche. It should never be taken for granted.
But the way it has been playing out on our streets raises some red flags around where we are as a country.
The direction we must take is clear. It is up to all of us now to pull together to get us on the road of togetherness and optimism.
