"This change is for all Australians. We are one country and have proven so from generation to generation,"Mr Morrison writes in anopinion piece published in this masthead.
The idea for the wording change was raised by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian about a year ago,but the Prime Minister did not think the timing was right then. Ms Berejiklian reignited debate over the lyrics in November,shortly after the NRL decided to abandon the anthem for State of Origin andthen reversed that position after a backlash from fans and Mr Morrison.
Ms Berejiklian said at the time that to continue singing Australians were"young and free"ignored the tens of thousands of years of First Nations culture and heritage. She was backed in Novemberby a range of Indigenous and political leaders,including Labor's Anthony Albanese,Indigenous Australians Minister Ken Wyatt and One Nation leader Pauline Hanson.
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In early December,16-year-old student and Wiradjuri woman Olivia Fox sang a verse of the national anthem in the Dharug language ahead of the Wallabies playing Argentina, eliciting a wave of positive feedback. Mr Morrison has recounted on several occasions how children in the Sutherland Shire,including his own,learn the anthem in Dharawal language.
However,the Prime Minister does not want the change to the wording to be seen purely through the prism of Indigenous recognition,which is behind his recommendation to Governor-General David Hurley it take effect from January 1 rather than Australia Day.