Triple J Hottest 100 will remain on Australia Day despite ‘Invasion Day’ controversy

TRIPLE J has announced its annual Hottest 100 countdown will remain on Australia Day, after an online petition urged it to be moved.

Triple J’s Hottest 100 countdown has been and Australian institution since 1989.

TRIPLE J has announced its much loved annual Hottest 100 music countdown will remain on Australia Day in 2017, after an online petition called for it to be moved to a less divisive day.

However, the date remains subject to review in future years.

The youth broadcaster was reportedly in serious talks to move the celebration from Australia Day, in light of growing concern that the countdown should be aired on day that was less offensive to the country’s indigenous population.

A petition hosted on change.org, which garnered more than 3000 signatures, argued that it is disrespectful to host the countdown on a day that many indigenous Australians see as a day of mourning.

January 26 marks the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet on Australian soil in 1788, considered the birthday of the nation.

However, many indigenous Australians prefer to refer to Australia Day as Invasion Day or Survival Day, because to them it is when their land was invaded by Europeans.

In a statement released on Tuesday afternoon, Triple J said it wanted the Hottest 100 to be an inclusive and respectful event for all Australians.

However, content director Ollie Wards, announcing the countdown would again repartner with the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME), said it would remain on Australia Day in 2017.

“The Hottest 100 is the biggest thing Triple J does every year,” he said.

“While we celebrate the year’s best music, we believe that together with a great organisation like AIME, Triple J has a powerful opportunity and a responsibility to create a positive impact.

“In partnering with AIME we hope to raise money to empower indigenous young people and also acknowledge and discuss all perspectives of 26 January.”

The petition called for it to be moved from Australia Day as, “A message to First Nations’ Peoples that they, and their experiences, are valued and respected by other Australians”.

Triple J has been in contact with numerous high-profile Aboriginal musicians in order to get their views on the matter, according to “multiple well-placed sources” cited by pop culture website Pedestrian.

A petition calls on Triple J hosts Matt Okine and Alex Dyson to ‘spearhead this campaign to have Triple J change the date of the Hottest 100 Countdown from Australia Day to a less inflammatory and more inclusive date for First Nations’ Peoples’.

Indigenous hip hop artist Briggs told indie music site Music Feeds it’s a conversation “we should all be having”.

“It’d be an obvious salute for us if [Triple J] did move it,” he said.

“That’s solidarity right there, for something that would be right … would be the right thing to do. That’s a conversation that we should all be having, with why we are celebrating that day.”

For many, the annual countdown is synonymous with their Australia Day celebrations, however the Hottest 100 has not always been held on the public holiday. The countdown was first held in March of 1989.

A number of public holidays occur after mid-December, when major labels cease sending new music to radio. Most stations don’t add new music to their playlists during this period, so the countdown could easily be shifted to a more universally celebrated public holiday without losing any of its impact.

You’d still be able to have your Hottest 100 barbecue, only without the guilt.

News.com.au has approached triple j for comment.