While giving the Australia Address at the Gawler Apex Club Australia Day Breakast and Ceremonies, local Member of Parliament Tony Piccolo drew attention to the growing inequality that is having a negative impact on local communities.

Mr Piccolo said while individual economic rights are the foundation of our economy, they must not be allowed to undermine community.

“Our communities are being undermined by the growing importance of individualism, while individual social rights are important, they cannot be at the expense of community,” Mr Piccolo said.

“As a result of these two forces our families, neighbourhoods, towns and cities are under increasing pressure from an growing sense of isolation, loneliness and alienation.

“The relationship of community is suffering from the lack of attention and neglect.

“People often confuse individuality with individualism. They are two different things, one positive the other negative,” he said.

Mr Piccolo also acknowledged that the celebration of Australia Day on 26 January has once again generated a great deal of discussion.

Mr Piccolo said Australia Day was more important to a majority of Australians than a range of other celebrations because it is the one day that we try to put our differences aside and celebrate our commonality.

“We share a set of values that while at times can be considered universal; nevertheless help us form our identity not only as a nation, but also as a people,” Mr Piccolo said.

“As a nation we value our personal freedom and rights, but we must not forget the freedom and rights of others.

“As Australians, we strive to achieve personally, but we value a fair go for all. It is no accident, that we often barrack for the underdog.

“We admire the courage shown by our armed services personnel, our emergency services workers (both career and volunteer), and the hundreds of acts of courage demonstrated by ordinary everyday Australians.

“Quite rightly we view ourselves as a compassionate society always prepared to lend a hand to those doing it tough, for one reason or another.

“We are a very tolerant and accepting society, who have welcomed many, like my family.

“I am a grateful recipient, and a product, of those Australian values, which makes me proud to call Australia home.

“And while we have become unfortunately, a less economically equal society, we still cherish our sense of fairness and egalitarianism.

“When we combine all these values together, it is clear that there is one relationship that we continually strive for the relationship of community.

“Whether the community is the extended family, our church, a sporting group, neighbourhood, town or city matters not, we achieve added meaning in our lives by being part of a community.

“The relationship of community is suffering from the lack of attention and neglect.

“Communities thrive when we are all able to make a contribution to them.

“Humans are social beings, so individuals thrive when we have healthy communities.“Children thrive in healthy families. Families thrive in healthy communities.

Community flourishes in an economic and socially inclusive, just and fair society.

“We must find ways to ensure that all Australians feel that they belong and can benefit from our economy and society to be able to make a contribution to community.“We must also remember and try to understand the views of those for which this day is not a day of celebration.

“For those values we share and hold dear as Australians are nurtured by compassion and respect.

“They help strengthen that relationship called community,” he said.