Migrants value Australia Day, according to AMES survey

Almost 80 per cent of new migrants and refugees believe Australia Day is important for the nation, according to a new survey.

Osama Butti and his family meet with Peter Dutton. Picture: Ella Pellegrini.

Almost 80 per cent of new migrants and refugees believe Australia Day is important for the nation, and almost 90 per cent plan to become citizens, according to a new survey of recent arrivals.

The survey, commissioned by settlement agency AMES Australia, comes after The Australian today published the results of a poll conducted by free market think tank the Institute of Public Affairs, which found that 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.

The AMES survey of 140 new migrants and refugees found that most newcomers planned to mark Australia Day in some way, and said events held on the day made them feel more welcome in their new country.

The survey also found that most participants did not know the significance of January 26 as the date the First Fleet of British ships landed at Sydney Cove in 1788, and most were unaware of controversy over calls for the date to be changed.

Greens leader Richard Di Natale recently renewed calls to change the date, offering support to Greens councillors nationwide to move citizenship ceremonies from January 26.

The AMES survey asked: “Is Australia Day important for the nation?”, with 79 per cent of respondents answering yes, and just nine per cent saying no.

Asked whether they planned to mark or celebrate the day in some way, 65 per cent said yes, while 22 per cent said they had no plans.

Fewer than half of those surveyed said they knew the significance of January 26.

An overwhelming 89 per cent said they planned to become Australian citizens while just 11 per cent said they had no plans to become citizens or were not sure.

Despite recent debate around changing the date, just 29 per cent of respondents said they were aware of the controversy over Australia Day prompted by some indigenous groups calling it ‘invasion day’ and calls to change the date.

Of those who were aware of the controversy, 38 per cent were in favour of changing, 35 per cent were in favour of keeping the January 26 date and 28 per cent were unsure.

More than half, or 54 per cent, said Australia Day would mean more to them if they were citizens, while 40 per cent said it would make no difference.

Asked whether they knew or planned to learn more about Australia’s history and the reasons Australia Day is celebrated, 81 per cent said they did, which 11 per cent said they did not.

Almost three-quarters, or 74 per cent of respondents said the Australia Day celebrations helped them to feel more welcome while 26 per cent said they made no difference and 11 per cent said they made them feel less welcome.

Iraqi refugee Osama Butti, who arrived in Australia with his wife and two children early last year, said he was looking forward to celebrating Australia Day and for the first time understanding its significance.

“I think Australia Day is important for the nation, it shows that Australia is a united and peaceful country,” Mr Butti said.

He said Australia Day would mean more to him once he became a citizen.

“When I become a citizen, Australia Day will be part of the history of my new country, my new home.

“But even now, even though I am not yet a citizen, I feel welcome here beyond my expectations.”

Canadian migrant Mabel Estrella, who becomes an Australian citizen on Australia Day, said becoming a citizen was important to her as a way of showing a commitment to the country.

“I think it is only right that my family make a commitment to becoming Australians and accepting the rights and responsibilities that come with that given that we are enjoying the benefits that come with living in this amazing country,” Ms Estrella said.

AMES Australia CEO Cath Scarth said the survey showed that migrants and refugees new to Australia were committed to becoming part of the wider society.

“What the survey tells us is that migrants who come to this country have a commitment to it and want to become part of its social fabric,” Ms Scarth said.

“It shows that most migrants want to contribute to Australia, want to learn its history and customs and want to embrace and become part of broader society,” she said.