‘Clear the deck’: Wild call on Australia Day sparks debate
Historians suggest moving Australia Day to ease tensions over January 26
Australia, January 26, Indigenous, Citizenship, Tensions, History
Sydney: The debate around Australia Day is heating up. Some historians believe moving the holiday from January 26 could help ease the ongoing tensions surrounding the date.
Local councils are already planning to hold citizenship ceremonies outside of January 26 in 2025. They’re citing Indigenous sensitivities as a reason for the change, while others want to keep the ceremonies tied to the national holiday.
Dr. Benjamin Jones from CQUniversity mentioned that there’s no real resolution in sight for those with differing views on January 26. He pointed out that people are becoming more aware of the conflicting perspectives.
January 26 marks the day the British flag was raised in Port Jackson back in 1788, which many see as the start of modern Australia. But this date has become a flashpoint for controversy, especially as more people recognize the impact of colonization on Indigenous communities.
Professor Angela Woollacott from ANU noted that the annual debates around Australia Day have grown alongside a deeper understanding of the country’s complex history. She reminisced about a time when Australia Day wasn’t such a hot topic.
Over the last twenty years, tensions have escalated, largely due to increased awareness of Indigenous suffering and the symbolism of calling January 26 “Invasion Day.” This isn’t a new issue, though; protests have been happening since at least 1938.
Some councils, like the City of Unley, have decided to keep their citizenship ceremonies on January 26 after a community survey showed most residents wanted it that way. Councillor Rebekah Rogers emphasized the importance of listening to the community’s voice.
Geelong Council also voted to restore its ceremonies to January 26, with the mayor highlighting the opportunities Australia offers to new citizens. The push to change the date has sparked a lot of discussions at the council level, especially after a change in the Citizenship Ceremonies Code in 2022.
While some councils are sticking to their decision to move ceremonies away from January 26, others are adamant about keeping the date. The Coalition has even promised to mandate citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day if they regain power.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke expressed his support for citizenship ceremonies, regardless of the date. He believes every day is a good day for new citizens to pledge their commitment to Australia.
Dr. Jones suggested that finding a new date might be the best way to resolve the ongoing conflict. He believes most people agree that there should be a day to celebrate the positive aspects of life in Australia.
He proposed March 3 as a potential new Australia Day, marking the passage of the Australia Acts in 1986, which severed the last legal ties with the British Parliament. Professor Woollacott echoed this sentiment, stating that the debate over January 26 will likely continue indefinitely.
She believes that a new date could help everyone feel united and proud of their country, especially when Australia eventually becomes a Republic. Until then, the discussions around January 26 will persist.