Bob Katter Wants The Word 'God' To Be Added To Australia's National Anthem

There is a lot of debate around Australia's national anthem this week.

Some people have suggested changing a word here or there to make it more inclusive of everyone in the country, as well as recognise First Nations people.

Queensland politician Bob Katter is one of those proposing an alteration, however it's not the one you might think. He wants to see the word 'God' whacked into the lyrics. Katter doesn't care where, just slot it into any stanza and let it be.

Speaking to Sky News Australia, the MP said: "I'd like to see God in there somewhere.

"Girt by sea, what the hell does that mean? That's stupidity. Built by God I think would be...I think that would be a good move, yeah."

Katter said Australia's national anthem, 'Advance Australia Fair', is one of the few on Earth that doesn't 'mention the creator'.

When asked what he thought of New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian's suggestion of the anthem change he said it was 'fairly attractive'.

The NSW leader yesterday revealed her desire to see one word replaced to make it more inclusive.

The Premier told Channel 7's Sunrise: "We have a very proud Indigenous culture of tens of thousands of years on this continent, so I guess to say 'we are young and free' ignores that. I just feel hurt for people who don't feel the anthem includes them."

Ms Berejiklian believes the words 'young and free' should be altered to 'we are one and free'.

Saying that Australia is 'young' is a slap in the face to Indigenous Aussies who have been living on the land for a good 60,000 years, says campaigners.

Ms Berejiklian aired her thoughts in the middle NAIDOC week, which seeks to raise awareness for Aboriginal and Islanders issues and celebrates Australia's indigenous history before European settlers arrived in 1770.

She hoped that by revealing her concerns about the current anthem this week it can start a national conversation.

"As a very young school child I remember learning 'Australia's sons let us rejoice'," the Premier said. "Today we sing 'Australians all let us rejoice'.

"Similarly I believe singing we are 'one' and free rather than 'young' and free will acknowledge our proud Indigenous history."

Featured Image Credit: Sky News Australia

Topics: News, Australia

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

@stewartperrie