Have your say on changing the date of Australia Day

Holding Australia Day celebrations on January 26 has become a contentious issue. Do you think it is time to choose a different date?

The celebration of Australia Day on January 26 continues to spark debate with many pushing for the date to be changed.

Those who support changing the date say it’s disrespectful to celebrate a day that some in Australia’s Indigenous community call “Invasion Day”.

The arrival of the First Fleet in Sydney was not a joyful occasion for the Indigenous community, many of whom were killed in massacres and also suffered other ill treatment.

The January 26 celebration was not always set in stone and was not cemented as a national public holiday until 1994.

However, others argue that Australia Day marks the foundation of modern Australia and the freedoms enjoyed by all Australians.

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Kids celebrating Australia Day last year in Adelaide. Picture: Morgan Sette/AAP

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Changing the date also won’t change the past or solve the problems that Indigenous people face in Australia including high rates of incarceration and disadvantage.

Some believe the focus should be on promoting changes to the constitution and recognition of Indigenous people. They say Australia Day has also become a day of reflection and can also provide an opportunity to discuss continuing challenges.

The results of the news.com.au survey will be published after it closes on January 31.

Originally published as Have your say on changing the date of Australia Day