A TAL( IA
CH~ r-AGANSZYLLVRY. EMBARGOED UNTIL DELLIE1Y
SPEECH By THE PRIME MINISTER
AUSTRALIAN AND YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR AWARDS
SYDNEY 26 JANUARY 1991
With our vantage point here looking out onto Sydney Harbour
it's easy to understand why Australia's lifestyle is envied
throughout the world.
Simply, it reminds us just what a great nation Australia is.
Australia Day is traditionally a day for getting out of
doors: and enjoying the Harbours and beaches and parks and
backyards throughout the nation, and for enjoying the
company of family and friends.
I hope everyone has a chance to do that today.
But it was never intended that Australia Day would merely be
a day for self indulgence or complacency.
It's a day for reflecting on the character of our nation,
and for remembering the debt we owe to our predecessors who
achieved so much and built so much on our behalf and for our
benefit. And especially on Australia Day 1991 do we need to bear in
mind the sacrifices others are making on our behalf.
For t~ he first time in twenty years, Australia Day 1991 sees
Australian defence forces serving overseas, committed to
combat in a difficult and hazardous conflict in the Persian
Gulf.. The 1houghts of all of us today are with those of our fellow
Australians performing this vital task on our behalf. And
let us remember too their families and loved ones who are
waitiLng for them to come home safely. No one can tell
preciLsely when that will be, but as I said in Parliament
this week it will be as soon as possible, when the job is
done. Let's also bear in mind the hardships being experienced by
our embassy staff in the Middle East and by other
Australians living and working in the region. We wish them
all a safe return.
2.
my friends,
Australians have good reason for feeling and expressing
their pride in this our country today.
We have created a free and democratic land a tolerant and
civilised society a close-knit community. Of course we
should be proud of all that. Certainly, our lifestyle is
and remains one that the world envies; we're still a magnet
for tourists and for new settlers from around the world.
But we who have the stewardship of our nation today must
continue to work hard if we are to see these successes-built
on and not frittered away.
The past year was a testing one for the nation and 1991 will
bring its own challenges and difficulties.
But I want all Australians to understand that this nation
can successfully navigate its way through these difficult
times and. that we will do so.
The past year for example has seen a new spirit of cooperation
emerge among the three levels of government, and a
new commitment to building a more effective and efficient
federal system and a more flexible and competitive
p Australian economy.
We have made significant progress. But our governments will
not achieve: this goal alone. It is my hope that this
remaining decade before we celebrate the centenary of the
Australian Commonwealth will be one marked by continued cooperation
at all levels of our community.
We must not, sacrifice the gains made for us nor squander the
opportunities now before us. We have built with the support
of people from around the globe a nation of tolerance,
fairness, innovation and courage. John Newcombd and I are
about to present a number of Australia Day awards to
individual Australians who embody these very qualities
people whom we honour today, our national day, as
Australians; of the Year.
It is my belief too that these very qualities of
tolerance, fairness, innovation and courage -must now carry
us forward to the prosperity and peace which we seek for
ourselves and our children.