Australia Day date ‘will change this decade’

CAMPAIGNERS for changing the date of Australia Day are confident the shift will go ahead, despite the Prime Minister’s “disappointment” in the debate.

GREENS leader Richard Di Natale is adamant the date of Australia Day will change within the decade despite government backlash against a campaign to shift celebrations.

The minor party leader yesterday announced a push to move Australia Day from January 26 would be a top priority for the Greens this year, pledging to use the party’s representatives in local government to influence how communities mark the occasion.

One Victorian state MP has already begun shaking things up in Melbourne, calling for flags to be flown at half-mast across the state on the divisive public holiday.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull last night dismissed the calls, saying he was “disappointed by those who want to change the date of Australia Day”.

Mr Turnbull accused campaigners of “seeking to take a day that unites Australia and Australians and turn it into one that will divide us”.

“We recognise that the history of European settlement here in Australia has been complex and tragic for indigenous Australians ... Australia Day is a day to come together,” he said.

But Senator Di Natale has his own theory on what the PM really believes: “The Prime Minister is captive to the hard right of his party. We can’t see anything vaguely progressive from this Prime Minister. He’s shown himself on so many things, that he is captive to the hard right of the political party.”

Malcolm Turnbull says he’s 'disappointed' in those pushing to change the date of Australia Day, but the Greens leader thinks he’s just playing up to his party’s right. Picture: Facebook/Malcolm Turnbull

Former prime minister Tony Abbott took to Twitter yesterday urging all Australians to accept that January 26 “is the best available day to celebrate all that’s good about life in Australia”.

Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce suggested the campaign was a distraction, and said the government was focusing on making the nation stronger, not arguing that “Lachlan Macquarie and Captain Cook were bad buggers”.

While debate about the date has raged leading up to January 26 in recent times, some prominent indigenous leaders have weighed in this year seeming surprised over the fuss.

Alice Springs councillor Jacinta Price and indigenous leader Warren Mundine say Aboriginal people in remote communities have bigger issues to worry about. “I’m with Aboriginal communities every month and changing the date isn’t number one, two, three, four, fifth on their agenda,” Mr Mundine said.

“It is education, jobs, it is to get business activity happening, and to get better healthcare.

“If the Greens were fair dinkum they would concentrate on these issues rather than something that is not going to make a difference to anyone.”

Performers from the Aboriginal dance company Koomurri Pictures at the Australia Day 2018 launch in Sydney. Picture: Julian Andrews

However, their stance has seen them criticised by their peers, The Australian reports.

Along with some indigenous leaders and activists, Senator Di Natale has also got Australian tennis legend Pat Cash on side. The former Wimbledon champ told Channel 9 on the weekend he had “got to the stage where I cannot celebrate Australia Day” and said “Invasion Day” made him “embarrassed” to be an Aussie.

Despite saying he was “not going to put a time line on it”, Senator Di Natale predicted that there was a change coming for Australia’s national day, and it wasn’t far off.

Richard Di Natale believes the date will change. Picture: James Ross/AAP

“I think within this decade we will see the date on which we celebrate Australia Day change. I’m feeling confident about that,” he told ABC Breakfast.

“The momentum, I think, is growing. Look at people who are now arguing for change — people like Pat Cash. Most young people now understand that it is a day that represents so much hurt and suffering for Aboriginal people.”

To make real change in Parliament, however, the Greens of course need the backing of one of the major parties, and Senator Di Natale has practically ruled out the Liberal Party and Coalition government.

“It is up to Bill Shorten to show leadership, and the moderate voices inside the Coalition to step up and help lead the campaign,” he said.

Senator Di Natale has not proposed an alternative date, saying: “I don’t think you await a politician to be setting another date.

“That is part of the conversation. We have to choose a day that we know we can all come together, have those barbecues, celebrate Australian music, reflect on the great things about being Australian,” he said.

— With AAP