Alice Springs councillor Jacinta Nampijinpa Price against changing date of Australia Day

Indigenous Alice Springs town councillor Jacinta Nampijinpa Price says aboriginal people have become professional mourners and it’s time it stopped

Indigenous Alice Springs town councillor Jacinta Nampijinpa Price says aboriginal people have become professional mourners and it’s time it stopped.

Ms Price, the daughter of former CLP politician Bess Price and an active campaigner against indigenous domestic violence, posted a stinging Facebook attack against those protesting about the date the nation celebrates Australia Day.

The post went viral, surging past 100,000 likes, more than 30,000 shares and her comments winning praise.

Ms Price said there was no need to change Australia Day and people who celebrated on January 26 need not feel guilty.

“I keep hearing that aboriginal people want to change the date of Australia Day, well what about the aboriginal people who don’t want to change the date?” Ms Price wrote.

“It is the aboriginal middle class who are concerned about date changes. Those pushing the agenda come from privilege themselves in comparison to the aboriginal people most marginalised.

“I’m sure if we are pressured enough to change the date then there will be something else for aboriginal middle class activists and guilt ridden white fellas to be offended about.

Alice Springs councillor Jacinta Price believes there is no need to change the date of Australia Day. PICTURE: Emma Murray

Ms Price says present indigenous problems should be fixed ahead of what has past.

“Why aren’t these people as concerned about the aboriginal people affected by domestic violence, alcohol and drug abuse?” she said.

“People want to call it a day of mourning. Us aboriginal people have become professional mourners … we are constantly in a state of mourning. What do we have to benefit from being in a constant state of mourning? Mourning does not give us freedom, it imprisons us ... I’ve had enough.

“I want everyone to have opportunity. I want to pull my people out of their crippling state of mourning and I don’t want anyone to feel bad or guilty for feeling joy and celebrating a country we love.”

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Originally published as Alice Springs councillor Jacinta Nampijinpa Price against changing date of Australia Day