Removing Australia Day recognition ‘destroys the nation we have’

Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce says destroying Australia Day for personal recognition and reasons does not create a stronger country, it “destroys the nation we have”. “It is part of that cultural clique … we have got to something that maybe makes us feel better about the fortunate circumstances we were born to,” Mr Joyce told Sky News host Andrew Bolt. “And we do it by trashing Australia, by trashing Australia Day. “People are aware of it, the more they try to trash Australia Day, the more the people will say ‘no you’re not’ and they will stand up for it and they will absolutely make sure that people see their patriotism towards our nation. “Because that is the glue that holds us together, your own little individual causes where you decide that the way you’re going to be recognised is to smash something up, does not create a stronger nation, it destroys the nation we have.”