Referendum failure has given Aussies confidence to back Aus Day

Australians have emerged from the Voice to Parliament skirmish with new found confidence to express national pride and support Australia Day celebrations, according to political experts.

Australians have emerged from the Voice to Parliament skirmish with new found confidence to express national pride and support Australia Day celebrations, according to political experts.

It comes as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese urged Opposition leader Peter Dutton to “chill out” on Australia Day in his address to the National Press Club, lashing him for his ­advocacy around January 26.

“One of the things that Australia Day celebrates is the fact that we’re not a Soviet-style command system. You know, like just chill out! Get on with life,” Mr Albanese said yesterday in reference to Mr Dutton.

Mr Albanese said he would be “celebrating Australia Day”, before sharing in an official statement that the day is “an opportunity to celebrate everything we’ve built together and be optimistic for the future we can shape together.”

Shruti Khandai and Aditi Khandai ahead of 2025 Australia Day. Picture: Richard Dobson

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addresses the National Press Club of Australia in Canberra. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

The PM’s comments came as Senator Hollie Hughes welcomed an Institute of Public Affairs (IPA) poll that revealed 69 per cent of Australians agreed on the date of the national day, compared to 63 per cent in 2024.

Senator Hughes the surge in support had its roots in the defeated Voice to Parliament referendum of October 2023 and the annual IPA research had provided a telling insight.

“I think when people saw the referendum result they realised their views, their pride in their country, and us being one nation together, was actually the way the majority of Australians feel,” she said.

“It was always the noisy groups from the left, who object to everything, that were opposing Australia Day when clearly the bulk of Australians are supportive of celebrating the country and celebrating it on January 26.

“When I was out on the campaign trail, if I was wearing a ‘No’ hat or a ‘No’ T-shirt, people would say ‘we’re very much with you but gosh you’re brave to wear that’.

“The result has encouraged them and given them confidence to more vocally and forcefully stress their support for Australia Day.”

Senator Hollie Hughes at Parliament House in Canberra. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Senator Hughes was also buoyed by a rise in support from the 18-24 years age group for Australia Day to be celebrated on January 26 – up from 42 per cent last year to 52 per cent.

“I think there’s been a movement away from some of this woke ideology,” she added.

IPA’s deputy Executive Director Daniel Wild agreed, saying: “A large percentage of young people are now opposed to political correctness. They’re rebelling against the political establishment.”

Mr Wild said in the lead up to the referendum, people were wondering “maybe I’m the one with the out of touch views”.

“It had the effect of making people doubt their own opinions and it demoralised them,” he said.

“More generally what we’re seeing now is people becoming more confident because there is social proof that their views are shared by the majority.

“People thinking Australia is a good country, that we should celebrate Australia Day, we don’t want to be divided, that is now undeniable.”

Sisters Aditi and Shruti will be celebrating Australia Day by heading to council events at Bella Vista Farm Park.

Pictured at South Curl Curl Beach in Sydney is Sid with his kids Shruti and Aditi ahead of 2025 Australia Day. Picture: Richard Dobson

Their father, Sid, said while he wouldn’t object to the date changing, his family was looking forward to celebrating with a barbecue with the kids donning a big Australian flag.

“As migrants, we love the day as it helps unite everyone as one,” he said.