Nationbuild

Australia is a civilized, prosperous and peaceful country and its people have shown themselves to be resourceful, enterprising, energetic, tolerant and courageous---in peace and in war. Australians should be proud of their country and grateful for the manifold blessings which Australian citizenship bestows.

We should not, however, be complacent about the future. Australia is a large continent with a small population of less than 20 million people. We are a prosperous nation and endowed with abundant natural resources which have been discovered and developed by our explorers, pioneers, inventors and entrepreneurs.

If we are to bequeath this country to our children and grandchildren, then we need to increase our population and increase our wealth. We need to care for our vital institutions---parliaments, courts, universities and churches. We should face the future, and the world, with a well-justified confidence---a confidence based on our capacity to adapt to a changing world.