“Australia Day gives us all a chance to review not only whether we have stuck to our New Years resolutions, but have we given to our nation a commitment comparable to what we expect our Nation to deliver to us.

“During the New Year I was lucky enough to listen to a eulogy of an ex-serviceman from Narrabri who as well as serving in Cyprus, Greece and New Guinea during the Second World War, lived in a tent for two years while he developed his property in Northern NSW. I do not believe that he thought his country had let him down, in fact I am certain he was intensely proud of his country. Simple joys such as tennis was his distraction.

“The question that was posed to me is what do I expect and what do I deliver and when is it worth complaining and would I have given up if I was him? Fortunately, our nation is made up of many people like Alan Albert from Narrabri and that is why Australia is what it is today. If we are going to teach Australian History, make sure it includes that ethos of those who dedicated, without notice, so many of their years to make our country what it is.

“Does our commitment to Australia today match that of the commitment in the past on which our prosperity was built?” Senator Joyce said.