January 26 wins tick from 70pc in IPA survey

An overwhelming 70 per cent of Australians do not want the date of Australia Day changed, according to a new poll.

IPA foundations of Western civilisation program director Bella d’Abrera. Picture: Nigel Welch

An overwhelming 70 per cent of Australians do not want the date of Australia Day changed and only 11 per cent believe it should be moved from January 26, according to a new poll.

Commissioned by free-market think tank the Institute of Public Affairs, the poll of more than 1000 Australians found only 23 per cent of Australians thought councils should stop holding citizenship ceremonies on January 26, and 50 per cent disagreed with the councils that had moved them.

Respondents were also asked for their views on Australian history and national pride, with 76 per cent saying they believe Australia has a history to be proud of and 11 per cent disagreeing. Of those surveyed, 87 per cent said they were proud to be Australian and 3 per cent said they were not.

 

Amid calls from Greens leader Richard Di Natale to change the date, IPA foundations of Western civilisation program director Bella d’Abrera said everyday Australians wanted to celebrate Australia Day on January 26.

“It is encouraging that Australians overwhelmingly reject the negative rhetoric about our nation’s history continually pushed by many on the left. This is evidence that Australians both value and understand British institutions such as liberal democracy and the rule of law which have made Australia the successful nation that it is today.”

The IPA poll results are similar to those revealed in a Guardian Essential poll published in September but contrast with a survey published last week by the left-leaning Australia Institute, which found that 56 per cent of Australians “don’t really mind” when Australia Day is held.