A recent policy proposed at a state Liberal National Party council meeting in Gladstone, Queensland, says that schoolchildren should sing the Australian national anthem, ‘Advance Australia Fair’, every day before starting class.
According to local media, Fiona Simpson, MP for Maroochydore on the Sunshine Coast, said such a policy could help foster strong ‘national identity’.
“We must ensure our children understand how important it is as part of their national identity and then grow that as citizens.”
These LNP members have appealed to Queensland opposition to adopt this policy.
Singing the Australian national anthem is a standard practice for most schools, usually weekly during an assembly or parade day.
Former state candidate Pinky Singh said singing the national anthem at school could help foster unity among children, regardless of race or religion.
Many indigenous and migrant activists feel that the lyrics do not accurately represent them and their heritage.
Prominent indigenous critics have claimed that describing Australia as a ‘young nation’ overlooks the fact that Aboriginal people have lived on the continent for thousands of years.
In 2020, indigenous team refused to sing the Australian national anthem played in the lead up to the NRL game against the Indigenous All Stars and Maori All Stars.
Cody Walker said in a post-match media interaction that he wasn’t comfortable with a version of the Australian anthem being played at the game.
“To be honest no (it shouldn’t be played) – it just brings back so many memories from what’s happened and I think everyone in Australia needs to get together and work something out. … It doesn’t represent me and my family.”
Soon, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that the second line of the anthem had been changed from “for we are young and free” to “for we are one and free.”
“While Australia as a modern nation may be relatively young, our country’s story is ancient, as are the stories of the many First Nations peoples whose stewardship we rightly acknowledge and respect.”
The change was done by Proclamation made by the Governor General, General the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), on the Government’s advice.
The original composition of ‘Advance Australia Fair’ was written by Peter Dodds McCormick in 1878 and was four verses long.
In 1974 ‘Advance Australia Fair’ was adopted as the Australian National Anthem, but in 1976 ‘God Save The Queen’ was reinstated.
Full lyrics of Advance Australia Fair
VERSE ONE
Australians all let us rejoice,
For we are one and free;
We’ve golden soil and wealth for toil;
Our home is girt by sea;
Our land abounds in nature’s gifts
Of beauty rich and rare;
In history’s page, let every stage
Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.
VERSE TWO
Beneath our radiant Southern Cross
We’ll toil with hearts and hands;
To make this Commonwealth of ours
Renowned of all the lands;
For those who’ve come across the seas
We’ve boundless plains to share;
With courage let us all combine
To Advance Australia Fair.
In joyful strains then let us sing,
Advance Australia Fair.
