Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp attends Australia Day protest
As protesters defy pleas to stay home amid fears of COVID breaches, Sally Capp began Australia Day at a protest ‘dawn service’
As ‘Invasion Day’ protests roll out across the country on Australia Day, Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp has attended a protest ‘dawn service’.
She joined dozens or people in the rain at Kings Domain at 5.30am, at an event described by organisers as a commemoration of ‘all Sovereign First peoples who defended and died in the Frontier Wars, massacres across Australia, as well as those who continue to die in custody”.
It began with a traditional smoking ceremony, and proceeded with the council’s blessing – which copped criticism for its support which included logistics and COVID-safety.
It came as Australia Day protesters across the nation were warned of an increased police presence if they insist on hitting the streets.
In NSW on Monday, Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she would prefer protesters stay home, and warned those that did not must adhere to COVID health rules or face swift action from police.
Melbourne’s, official Australia Day parade was cancelled, but it’s believed thousands showed interest in attending a series of protests, despite an ongoing COVID limit of 100 people at public gatherings.
‘Day of pain’
In Sydney, Ms Berejiklian this morning acknowledged January 26 is “a day of pain” for Indigenous Australians, as the nation remains divided over whether the date of Australia Day should change.
Speaking at the Wugulora Morning Ceremony at Barangaroo, Ms Berejiklian started her address by declaring Australia Day was an “annual opportunity to celebrate the values which make Australia one of the best places on earth.”
But a day after rejecting the idea of moving Australia Day away from January 26, Ms Berejiklian paid tribute to the suffering of Indigenous Australians.
“As we come here to acknowledge and celebrate these freedoms, we must also recognise as a mature and decent nation that today is a day that causes pain for some of our First Nations people,” she said.
“We cannot, and should never, deny any aspect of our history or the key milestones that have made us the nation we are today.
“As we raise the Aboriginal flag alongside the flag of Australia, it renews hope that each passing Australia Day brings us closer to being truly one mob.
“Accepting and embracing what unifies us but also causes ongoing tension and pain is part of our evolution as a nation. Nations are always evolving and progressing. Australia is no different. We still have work to do.”
More Coverage
‘Holy grail’ fish discovery comes with one big catch
The discovery of a rare, untapped, abundant and delicious food source off Australia’s southern coast is quickly shaping as an unsavoury battle.
Marles pays US an AUKUS advance
Australia has made its first AUKUS down payment to the US as the Albanese government looks to lock-in Trump administration support for the submarine program.