‘They will never agree’: Residents give their thoughts on Australia Day date change

We asked readers if they supported changing the date of Australia Day with support overwhelmingly in one direction.

Residents have given their thoughts on changing the date of Australia Day.

Residents on the Northern Rivers have thrown their support overwhelmingly behind leaving Australia Day on January 26.

We asked readers what they thought about the date change after the Tweed Shire Council resolved to write to the Federal Government asking to have the date changed.

On the Tweed Daily News and Northern Star Facebook Pages we asked readers if they supported changing the date, 79 readers voted yes while 189 voted no.

Judi Neil Sandercock said it doesn’t matter what date it’s on.

“They will never agree and what does it have to do with the Tweed Shire Council haven’t they got better things to do? Like fix our shire,” she said.

Kira Sammut agreed.

“It doesn’t matter what date they change it to, it will always be a problem for some,” she said.

Doug Irby also wanted the date left alone.

“Get back to what local government is all about: Management and upgrading of infrastructure and services for ratepayers.”

There were 48 other comments against the change.

Matt Goldsworthy pointed out the date had previously been changed.

“The day itself is nothing more than an excuse for people to get pissed in the ‘celebration’ of Australia so changing the day that people can get away with day drinking won‘t do much in my opinion,” he said.

“I can remember when Australia Day changed every year,” Monica Wilcox said.

“As long as it made a long weekend at the end of January.”

Chantel Brown said the date was due to change for other reasons.

“Australia Day is going to change to Republic Day one day, let’s hold it on a different date though,” she said.

Craig Greaves suggested May 8 as a date which Jennifer Smith agreed with.

“It can‘t be that hard to change the date to something like 8th May which would help unite this country,” she said.

“Those that don’t want to change the date obviously don’t want a united country.”

Rebecca De Auno said the current date aggrieved Australia’s First Nations people.

“We can just as easily celebrate together on a different date,” she said.

“All I need is a long weekend in summer when we can come together and celebrate.”

Five others commented supporting the change.

Ken Bruce just wanted the issue put to bed.

“Let’s have a vote on this issue,” he said.