Invasion Day Protest: A Call for a New Australia Day
On Friday, January 26, a flood of thousands slammed the streets of Melbourne and cities across the country, urging a fresh look at the national day that many call a painful reminder of colonial history.
“It’s Been a Long Time Coming”
- Rachel Muir – “Australia is a vibrant mix now, and we need a day that welcomes everyone. Change the date!”
- Greg Hunt – “By marking a day that commemorates the arrival of Europeans, we tacitly celebrate the land we stole.”
In Melbourne, over 10,000 people chanted, “Always was, never will be, Aboriginal land,” clutching banners that read, “You are on stolen land.” Others in Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide yelled the same refrain, strengthening a chorus of frustration and hope.
When Cities Decide to Redesign
A trio of Victorian councils in 2017 voted to stop recognizing January 26 as Australia Day. Blooming Youth Radio station Triple J recently moved its annual “Hottest 100” countdown to a new date, citing rising debate.
Prime Minister’s Stance
Malcolm Turnbull has repeatedly cautioned against a date shift. “We must recognize the hardships of European settlement, but Australia Day is a celebration of unity,” he said. He warned that changing the day could fracture a nation that has long stood together.
The Pulse of a Nation
- Monthly polls reveal most Australians are calm about the date and hardly know its original significance.
- Only 3 % of the population is Aboriginal in contemporary Australia, compared to a million people present when the first British ships docked.
- Despite widespread participation in picnics, traditional Aboriginal performances, and citizenship ceremonies that welcomed nearly 13,000 new Australians, the gaps in poverty, health, and incarceration remain wide and stubborn.
All together, the march of more than ten thousand signaled a message that reverberates beyond the streets: Australia must reconcile its past, rethink its national day, and find a ring that unites all citizens.
