Australia Day: Zali Steggall proposes minute of silence

An MP has been accused of “perpetuating divisions” after she proposed a radical change to our annual Australia Day celebrations.

Independent MP Zali Steggall has called for Australians to observe a minute’s silence on Australia Day to recognise the “price paid” by Indigenous Australians during colonisation.

The Warringah MP has written to mayors in her electorate on Sydney’s northern beaches, asking they introduce the commemoration as part of their Australia Day celebrations.

She said described the day as one of “mixed emotions” that should be both celebrated and mourned.

“The reality is, to become the nation that we are today, a price has been paid. We have lost a lot of the cultural heritage and Indigenous Australians have paid a high price,” she told Sky News on Thursday.

Zali Steggall has called for a minute’s silence on Australia Day to acknowledge the ‘price paid’ by Indigenous Australians during colonisation. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

“A lot of non-Indigenous Australians and Indigenous Australians would like to pay their respects and acknowledge the loss and sorrow felt, and the price paid.

“We mark a minute’s silence when it comes to Remembrance Day and ANZAC Day, and I think it’s fitting that we do so on Australia Day as well.”

Australia Day marks the arrival of European settlers on January 26, 1788, and is viewed as “Invasion Day” by many Australians.

Neither the government nor opposition supports Australia Day being moved from January 26, which is routinely marked by protests.

The 26th of January represents Survival Day for First Nations people. Part of that day should be spent in quiet reflection on the truth of the whole Australian story. @zalisteggall ‘s idea of a minute’s silence is respectful and welcome.

— Linda Burney MP (@LindaBurneyMP) January 19, 2021

Labor spokeswoman for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney has embraced Ms Steggall’s “respectful and welcome” idea.

“January 26 will remain Australia Day for the foreseeable future. While we cannot change the date, we can change the way we observe it,” she told NCA NewsWire.

“It shouldn’t be about jingoism. Part of the day should be spent in quiet reflection, embracing the truth and whole history of Australia.

“I urge all Australians to take pride in celebrating the over-60,000-year history that we have of human occupation and civilisation.”

Australia Day is viewed as Invasion Day by many Australians, and is routinely marked by protests. Picture: Danny Casey/AAP Image

The Australian national anthem was changed earlier this month, switching the phrase “we are young and free” to “we are one and free”.

The change reflected the presence of Indigenous Australians before the arrival of European settlers, but Ms Steggall said it had not gone far enough.

She confirmed she had spoken to Indigenous Australians Minister Ken Wyatt about further changes, including a third verse that would recognise Indigenous heritage.

But Immigration Minister Alex Hawke has accused Ms Steggall of “playing negative politics” over a day he claimed united all Australians.

Immigration Minister Alex Hawke has accused Ms Steggall of ‘playing negative politics’ over a day that should unite Australians. Picture: Dean Lewis/AAP Image

“It is disappointing to see an ill-considered proposal from the Member for Warringah that plays negative politics with our history and which can only perpetuate divisions between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians,” he said.

“The truth is Australia Day unifies us all, because of our shared history – the good and the bad.

“Regardless of the failings in our history, Australia has become one of the most free, egalitarian, safe and diverse societies today, and our shared commitment to continuing this journey together is what matters most.”