Each year, January 26 sparks conversations about Australia Day and its meaning for all Australians. The date holds significant historical weight and remains a source of division. For some, it’s a day to celebrate the nation. For others, it’s a reminder of colonisation and its impact on First Nations peoples.
This year, protest organisers are rallying under the banner of protecting Indigenous rights, addressing the cost-of-living crisis, and combating the rise of the far right.
What Day Is Australia Day?
Australia Day falls on January 26 each year. It commemorates the landing of the First Fleet in 1788. The day has become a public holiday, often marked with barbecues, fireworks, and national pride. However, its colonial history creates discomfort for many Australians, especially First Nations communities.
Invasion Day Rallies Address Key Issues
Protest organiser Tarneen Onus Browne spoke about the global trend of withdrawing Indigenous rights, comparing Australia’s situation to other colonised nations.
“New Zealand and in the US, their governments have voted in the right wing, and it’s becoming quite scary,” Onus Browne said. “It’s really important for us to get organised as a community and to fight against this.”
This year’s rallies will highlight various issues, including Black deaths in custody, mining, and child removals. Protesters will also focus on global concerns like rising sea levels, the Israel-Gaza war, and strained healthcare systems.
A Global Perspective on Indigenous Rights
Australia’s first Māori policewoman, Jo Maarama Kamira, plans to speak at Sydney’s Invasion Day rally. She sees a global theme in the erosion of Indigenous rights.
Kamira warns about the potential fallout if treaties like New Zealand’s Treaty of Waitangi weaken. “If Te Tiriti falls, then we see the falling of native title, we’ll see the falling of treaties on Turtle Island (United States), we will see the falling of treaties worldwide,” she said.
Last year, over 40,000 people in New Zealand protested legislation reinterpreting the Treaty of Waitangi. Kamira sees this as part of a broader trend, highlighting the need for First Nations peoples worldwide to unite.
Why Is January 26 Divisive?
For many First Nations people, January 26 is not a day of celebration. It marks the beginning of colonisation, dispossession, and intergenerational trauma. Activists argue that celebrating on this day disregards the painful history associated with it.
Professor Ray Lovett from ANU points to policies he describes as “dehumanising Indigenous peoples.” He cites Queensland’s “adult crime, adult time” legislation and the repeal of the Truth Telling Inquiry as examples of regressing rights.
“We seem to have to fight tooth and nail all the way to enact basic rights like political representation,” Professor Lovett said. He believes polarisation over Indigenous recognition and Welcome to Country ceremonies reflects deeper societal issues.
How Australians View the Holiday
A recent survey by news.com.au revealed that 70% of Australians believe it’s important to have a national day of celebration. However, 14% feel uncomfortable marking this occasion on January 26 due to its historical significance.
Uncomfortable conversations often surface around this time. For Wiradjuri woman Lydia, a discussion at her gym class illustrated casual racism. She spoke out when participants criticised the Aboriginal flag and dismissed Indigenous concerns. “This conversation is making me feel extremely uncomfortable. I am Wiradjuri,” she said, confronting the remarks with grace and composure.
Such moments reveal why changing the date is not the sole solution. The deeper issue lies in addressing attitudes and fostering understanding.
Reflections from a First Nations Perspective
Uncle Michael West, speaking at a Welcome to Country for Bangarra Dance Theatre, offered a hopeful perspective despite the challenges. “In my eyes, we didn’t lose,” he said, referring to the failed Voice referendum.
He urged First Nations people to focus on the nearly 40% of Australians who supported the Voice. His words highlighted the growing allyship and potential for meaningful change.
When Is Australia Day a Public Holiday?
Australia Day is a public holiday observed on January 26, unless it falls on a weekend. This year, the holiday offers an opportunity for reflection and action.
Ways to Support and Connect
This Australia Day, consider ways to engage meaningfully with First Nations culture and history. Listen to First Nations artists, purchase Indigenous artwork, or read books about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives.
Reflect on the question: Does celebrating January 26 embody the values of mateship, compassion, and inclusiveness? As Uncle Michael West reminds us, progress begins with understanding and unity.
By acknowledging the complexities of Australia’s history, we can foster a national identity that respects all its peoples and stories.
