HE visited Charles Sturt University to congratulate graduates, but in the wake of the Sydney siege, former prime minister John Howard also reminded them to stay united.
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Mr Howard visited the Orange campus on Tuesday to inspect the dentistry facilities his government helped to fund - for its contribution, he was named doctor of the university.
However, in accepting what he called an “exceptional honour”, Mr Howard said he could not address the students without acknowledging the events in Sydney earlier that morning, which left three people dead.
“I echo to the full the words our prime minister and premier have said,” he said.
“This is an occasion where Australians must stand together irrespective of their policy views.”
He said he tried during his time as prime minister to communicate to Australians the nation’s fundamental values.
“The things that unite us are infinitely greater and more enduring than the things that divide us,” he said.
He said the United States and Europe often talked about exceptionalism, or the ways they felt unusual or extraordinary, and so did not have to conform to normal rules or principles.
“Here, let us think about the exceptionalism of Australia,” he said.
“We’re one of only a handful of countries that’s remained democratic through the entirety of the 20th century, our constitution came through free choice of people voting at a referendum, our nation is always prepared to do its bit, and often more than its bit, in defence of liberty.”
Mr Howard congratulated graduates on their achievements.
“I hope you will find the greatest possible satisfaction of performing to the limit of your ability,” he said.
He said the rise of the middle classes in Asia would provide limitless opportunities in the coming decades.
“If we have the wit and the tenacity of our forebears, we can turn that to our great advantage,” he said.
danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au
