Institute of Public Affairs poll reveals the date most Aussies want to celebrate Australia Day

More than two-thirds of Australians want to celebrate our national day on this date.

Majority of Australians want to keep our national day on January 26. Picture: AAP

More than two-thirds of Australians support Australia Day being celebrated on January 26, new research has revealed.

According to a survey of 1038 people by free market think tank Institute of Public Affairs, 69 per cent of Aussies want our national day to remain as it is and just 11 per cent were in favour of the date being changed.

Most of those interviewed (82 per cent) said they felt proud to be Australian, while 72 per cent thought marking the national day was an authentic way for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to celebrate being Australian.

IPA’s Bella d’Abrera said that celebrating Australia Day should “unite all Australians”.

“Mainstream Australians are fundamentally optimistic and positive about Australia and its values,” she said.

“January 26 marks the foundation of modern Australia, and the freedoms that go with it.

“Modern Australia is defined by freedoms which are enjoyed by all Australians. This is something that should be celebrated, not denigrated.

“Australians are fundamentally proud to be Australian and recognise that Australia has a history to be proud of.”

Invasion Day marches will again be held this year across the country. Picture: Jonathan Ng

However former Treaty Advancement Commissioner Jill Gallagher said Australia Day being held on January 26 — the date the First Fleet landed in Australia — was being “hurtful and disrespectful” to Indigenous people.

“We could keep January 26 as a public holiday for our Remembrance Day, or Day of Reclaiming, or Recognition Day so that all of Australia never forget,” Ms Gallagher said.