Opposition claims Andrews Government ‘trying to kill’ Australia Day

Matthew Guy claims the Victorian government is “secretly trying to kill” Australia Day, joining Anthony Albanese to back January 26 as the national holiday.

Opposition leader Matthew Guy has claimed the Victorian government is “secretly trying to kill” Australia Day.

“The Victorian government has absolute intent to do nothing for Australia Day,” he said on Tuesday.

“It’s ideological, it’s typical politics of division that this government engages in.

“Australia Day is our national day. Until it’s changed, if it’s changed, it may never be changed, but whatever, this is our national day. Find ways for all government’s to unify us, to heal any issues of the past and bring us together.

“That’s what Australia Day should be about. It shouldn’t be about division. It shouldn’t be about secretly not trying to celebrate a day that unites us.”

Mr Guy, who said he doesn’t believe the January 26 date should be changed, said he was “sad” that a number of festivities had been cancelled.

The Herald Sun revealed the annual Australia Day parade would be cancelled for a second year in a row.

Matthew Guy says Australia Day shouldn’t be about division. Picture: Alison Wynd

The government strenuously denied that was linked to a growing movement to boycott the date, with the decision not to proceed with the parade was off the back of overwhelming support from stakeholders and attendees of last year’s events.

“The government can find many excuses for other parades, but they won’t celebrate our national day,” Mr Guy said.

“I find that just sad, sad that we’ve got a state government that’s not interested in celebrating our nation. If they don’t like our date, then say it, but don’t try to secretly undermine Australia and everything we’ve achieved as, I think, the world’s most successful multicultural nation.”

The state government earlier this month announced a range of free events had been developed as part of the Australia Day 2022 program in a bid to encourage reflection and togetherness.

A free public concert headlined by Daryl Braithwaite will bring live music to picnickers at Flagstaff Gardens, while Bananas in Pyjamas and Bluey will take to the stage at Federation Square.

The official Flag Raising Ceremony and Australia Day Reception at Government House this year will honour frontline workers, with many in attendance.

Premier Daniel Andrews said: “Australia Day is a day for telling our story, for recognising the contributions of extraordinary Victorians and for acknowledging our strength as a community.

“We recognise and celebrate the traditional custodians of our land and aspire to celebrate our nation in ways that respect our First Nations peoples as part of our ongoing work on self-determination and Treaty in Victoria.”

Senior Andrews government Minister Martin Foley said any decision to change the date of Australia Day was a matter for the federal government.

Asked whether he personally supported a date change, Mr Foley said: “Australia Day is a national public holiday that’s determined by the Commonwealth. Australians mark it, respect it and celebrate it, or mourn it in their different ways.

“I would encourage all Australians to continue to do so, but whether it’s changed or not is a matter for the Commonwealth.”

ALBO BACKS JANUARY 26

Australia Day should be celebrated on January 26, according to Anthony Albanese, who says it’s an important day to recognise the “good and bad” of the nation’s history.

The neutralising comments come as Finance Minister Simon Birmingham issued a warning for people who want the date moved “not ruin Australia Day for everybody”.

There is growing support to change the date, which marks when the First Fleet landed, out of respect for Indigenous Australians.

But the federal opposition leader maintains that January 26 provides an opportunity to think about the country’s past, as well as its future.

“Australia Day is an important day for us to recognise our history, good and bad,” Mr Albanese said on Sunday.

“It's an opportunity for us to acknowledge that our history goes back some 60,000 years, and that is a priority for us to celebrate that.

Federal opposition leader Anthony Albanese supports the January 26 holiday. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We live with the oldest continuous civilisation on the planet. That should be a great source of pride.”

Mr Albanese said he did not want to get into a culture war over the date, adding he was focused on getting First Nations people recognised in the constitution through a voice to parliament.

“That is something that this government promised would happen in this term, and we have seen no serious advance on it,” he said.

Senator Birmingham said the day should celebrate all that had been achieved, and acknowledge that the nation’s history has not been perfect.

“Let’s do it in a positive way, not one that simply tears or divides us apart,” he said.

Exclusive new YouGov polling has revealed 35 per cent of people want our national day of celebration shifted from January 26 out of respect for Indigenous Australians.

Support for changing the date was the highest in Victoria, with 44 per cent of respondents calling for it to be moved.

But 56 per cent of all respondents said Australia Day should be kept as January 26.

YouGov surveyed 2297 people across the country between December 27 and January 10.