Tasmanian Liberal Premier Peter Gutwein backs change the date ‘national conversation’

Tasmania’s Peter Gutwein has called for a ‘national conversation’ about changing the date of Australia Day, following protests this week.

The Change the Date rally at Parliament House in Hobart. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Tasmania’s Liberal Premier Peter Gutwein has called for a “national conversation” about changing the date of Australia Day following protests this week.

Mr Gutwein on Wednesday stopped short of backing a shift but acknowledged the growing push and said the time had come for the nation to seriously discuss the issue.

“It’s quite obvious I think that a national conversation should occur and I’d be supportive of that national conservation occurring,” Mr Gutwein told local radio.

Mr Gutwein attended Australia Day functions in the state’s north on Tuesday, and said his focus on January 26 was always celebrating Australians’ achievements.

However, he pointed to large ‘change the date’ rallies in Hobart and around the country as evidence of the need for a considered debate.

On Tuesday, thousands of protesters packed Hobart’s parliament lawns to demand a new date for Australia Day, to separate the national day from the arrival of the First Fleet.

Those attending included Labor leader Rebecca White, Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds, Greens leader Cassy O’Connor and Anglican Bishop Richard Condie.

Archbishop Condie called for a more mature approach to the issue. “While our national celebration is on January 26, we should at the very least begin the day with lament and sorrow, with honest reflection on our history,” Dr Condie said.

The issue of whether to shift Australia’s national day in recognition of the concerns of Aboriginal Australians has split politicians of all stripes.

Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Prime Minister Scott Morrison came under fire earlier this week for likening the suffering of convicts on the First Fleet to that of­ Indigenous Australians, but later described First Nations peoples’ “story” as “one of, if not the, greatest Australian story”.

Federal opposition leader Anthony Albanese is not pushing a change of date, but former Labor leader Bill Shorten this week described it as “inevitable”.

After his comments on ABC Radio, Mr Gutwein insisted he was not taking sides. “The Tasmanian government respects the wide range of views on this issue,” he said in a statement to The Australian.

“It is important to celebrate a proud nation and its achievements and not the date. This year we are also able to celebrate Grace Tame’s marvellous achievement being named Australian of the Year.

“I have consistently said that as this is a national day, not a state day, it needs to be a national conversation that is facilitated by the commonwealth. My position on this has not changed.”