Minister Tony Burke has reportedly been doing a pre-election blitz of citizenship ceremonies in crucial Western Sydney seats
Sky News
The Australian citizenship process should be a moment of national pride, free from political influence or manipulation. However, recent reports indicate that the Home Affairs Minister, Tony Burke, has taken an active role in a significant number of citizenship ceremonies, raising concerns over the politicisation of what should be an impartial process.
Reports suggest that Mr Burke’s department will oversee 25 citizenship ceremonies before March 4, granting Australian citizenship to over 12,000 individuals. Notably, these events include a three-day ceremony at Sydney Olympic Park, where up to 6,000 people are expected to become citizens.
The concern is not with granting citizenship to deserving migrants who have fulfilled all legal and procedural requirements. Rather, the issue lies in the unprecedented level of ministerial involvement and the apparent focus on key electorates in Western Sydney. Traditionally, local councils have overseen these ceremonies, ensuring that the process remains independent of federal government influence. The sudden shift in approach, just weeks before an election, raises valid questions about the motivations behind these decisions.
Several public figures, including Shadow Home Affairs Minister James Paterson and local mayors, have voiced their concerns. Senator Paterson has called for an explanation from the government, questioning why these ceremonies are being centralised under ministerial oversight and why Western Sydney is receiving particular attention. He has also requested transparency regarding the expenditure of taxpayer funds on these ceremonies.
Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone has criticised the move, suggesting that the increased ceremonies and Mr Burke’s personal involvement could be an attempt to influence votes in favour of the Labor Party. He emphasised that citizenship is about pledging allegiance to Australia and its people, not to a political figure or party. Similarly, Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun noted that Mr Burke personally handed out certificates at one event—an unusual practice for a federal minister.
Blacktown Mayor Brad Bunting welcomed Mr Burke’s attendance but acknowledged that it was rare for a minister to participate in such ceremonies. Blacktown, one of the most diverse local government areas in the country, already has a structured citizenship ceremony program in place, making the minister’s involvement all the more questionable.
Citizenship is one of the most significant milestones in a migrant’s life. It symbolises their formal acceptance into the Australian community and should remain a dignified, apolitical process. Any perception that the process is being used to carry political favour undermines public confidence in the integrity of Australia’s democratic institutions.
Australians deserve clarity on why these ceremonies have been ramped up in such a targeted manner and why a federal minister is playing a central role in what is traditionally a local government function. The timing of these ceremonies, so close to an election, cannot be ignored.
The Home Affairs Minister must provide a clear and transparent explanation to the public. Citizenship should never be used as a political tool—it is a national privilege that transcends party politics and deserves to be treated with the respect and impartiality it warrants.
