Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has said in no uncertain terms he doesn’t think the date of Australia Day should be changed.
It comes amid increased calls for an alternative date for the holiday to be celebrated.
“I believe the road to reconcilliation is a journey…there are many bigger and more profound issues, including constitutional recognition,” Turnbull said.
“Changing the date does not have my support, it is a debate everyone is entitled to have, but it’s not a change the government supports.”
Not all agree with the PM. Former coalition cabinet minister Ian Macfarlane says he is still pushing for Australia to scrape off the “barnacle” of January 26.
The former federal MP thinks March 1 would be a better day to celebrate, saying it’s about uniting Australians.
He says it would commemorate the date after federation in 1901 that the first Commonwealth government began taking control.
“To me, it’s the day that represents Australians coming together as one nation under one government,” Macfarlane said.
The PM certainly has the support of Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce, who doesn’t even want the debate to continue – he wants everyone to stop talking about it altogether.
He believes it’s political correctness gone mad and those pushing for change should bypass the holiday and go to work.
“Today is a day about celebration,” he told 2GB radio on Thursday.
“I’m just sick of these people who every time they want to make us feel guilty about it. They don’t like Christmas, they don’t like Australia Day, they’re just miserable … and I wish they’d crawl under a rock and hide for a little bit.”
But Mr Macfarlane disagrees:
“It isn’t a day where all Australians can celebrate. It is a day that some indigenous people find very hurtful.”
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