Jacqui Lambie’s Australia Day fail

Independent senator Jacqui Lambie recorded a special message for the good people of Australia yesterday, getting all dressed up for the occasion.

Unfortunately, Ms Lambie’s gesture fell flat when she declared that she would read Australia’s “oath of allegiance”.

Ms Lambie said, “”From this time forward under God, I will pledge my loyalty to Australia and its peoples, whose democratic beliefs I share and whose rights and liberties I respect, and whose laws I will uphold and obey.”

Facebook commenters were quick to point out that Australia doesn’t have an “oath of allegiance” and that the “pledge of allegiance” is an American tradition.

However, Australian politicians do have an oath, which they read out before taking their seats in parliament. It goes like this, as reported by Fairfax media:

“I, (insert name here), do swear that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Her heirs and successors according to law. So help me God!”

The words Ms Lambie recited are, in fact, the Australian Citizenship Pledge, which all new citizens must recite on the day they join the flock.

Ms Lambie continued with her Australia Day message by saying, “Remember, if you don’t like our democratic rights, liberties and laws, equality for all – including women, gay and indigenous people – there are plenty of other countries to choose from.”

“Keep safe and have a happy Australia Day.”

Is Jacqui Lambie’s mix-up a forgivable mistake, or would you expect more from a politician?