Premier Peter Malinauskas supports Australia Day on Jan 26 saying he’s tired of annual debate ritual

Premier Malinauskas claims the annual Australia Day debate is about ‘throwing red meat to get people angry’, and he’ll be celebrating on Jan 26.

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas will be celebrating this weekend. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Premier Peter Malinauskas has thrown his support behind the January 26 Australia Day celebration but says the “tone” of the debate is tired and “more about throwing red meat to people to get angry about a topic”.

He vented about when Australia Day happened every year the nation went “through what seems to be some kind of ritual that we have got to start debating the merits of it”.

Premier Peter Malinauskas attending a Modbury citizenship ceremony in 2021.

“This weekend is the Australia Day long weekend, Australia Day is on the 26th of January, that’s the law of the land,” Premier Malinauskas said.

“I think we can celebrate the best parts of being Australian this weekend in a way that is respectful to one another, including toward the indigenous community, that’s what I plan to do and I hope as many people are able to do that as possible.”

He acknowledged concerns members of the indigenous community have about the chosen date commemorating the first British colony being established in Australia - but said “I respect that, (but) I don’t think it should be at the expense of reflecting on just how lucky we are to call this place home”.

His comments come as Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton urged Australians to call and “express their view” to Australian Venue Co, criticising marketing at its 200 pubs across the nation that encouraged patrons to celebrate the long weekend rather than to celebrate Australia Day.

Mr Malinauskas said he supported businesses making their own choice about celebrating on January 26 saying “we are a free country, one of the things I’ll be celebrating this weekend is the fact that we are a free and a liberal democracy and people can express their own views and practice as they see fit.”

“That’s one of the best things about this place but personally, I’ll make the choice to celebrate Australia Day and celebrate how lucky we are to live here,” he said.

His views were backed by 69 per cent of people who answered a recent Institute of Public Affairs poll saying Australia Day should be celebrated on January 26.

Last year, more than 5000 South Australians attended a Survival Day march in the Adelaide CBD urging political leaders to change the date of the public holiday, saying many recognised it as a day of mourning for many First Nations people.

A similar event including a march, speeches and performances from First Nations and Maori artists is being held this Monday at Tandanyangga (Victoria Square).

Mr Malinauskas said one of the best things about Australia Day is the citizenship ceremonies and seeing families finding “all the hope and optimism that Australian citizenship affords you”.

“They are choosing to call Australia home over and above the place they came from and do you know what, it’s because it’s a bloody good place to live and they are welcome,” he said.