A special citizenship ceremony at Canberra’s Manuka Oval during the women’s one-day international between Australia’s Southern Stars and India this evening, saw the nation’s capital welcome 20 new Australian citizens from 11 different countries.

The Minister for Immigration and Border Protection presided over the citizenship ceremony and praised the efforts of Cricket Australia for hosting three ceremonies this summer.

“From the WACA to the Adelaide Oval, and now here at Manuka, we have seen new Australians welcomed at iconic sporting venues across our nation,” Mr Dutton said.

 Captain of the ACT Meteors Kris Britt led the affirmation at this evening’s ceremony. Mr Dutton took the opportunity to remind Australians to come together and stand united in our democratic beliefs and values and acknowledge the importance of what it means to be an Australian citizen.

“Citizenship is the common bond uniting all Australians. Whether you are a citizen by birth or by pledge, we are reminded by the numbers of those affirming their loyalty to Australia and its people, that we truly do live in the ‘lucky country’,” Mr Dutton said.

Today’s new citizens, join more than 16,000 people from 154 countries who became Australians at almost 400 ceremonies nationwide on Australia Day.