"It's important that a day called Australia Day includes all Australians, the fact of the matter is that it doesn't include us, it excludes us. It's a complicated issue but also very simple as well. Does it include everyone or doesn't it? No, it doesn't. Don't call it Australia Day." - Dan Sultan
Australia Day, celebrated on January 26th, has long been a divisive occasion, failing to unite all Australians. This date marks the arrival of British settlers in 1788, when Captain Arthur Phillip claimed Indigenous Gadigal land, now known as New South Wales. For many Indigenous Australians, this day symbolizes the beginning of colonisation, a period that brought genocide, dispossession, and the destruction of cultures that had thrived for over 50,000 years.
January 26th, often referred to as "Invasion Day" or "Survival Day," serves as a painful reminder of the systemic oppression Indigenous people have faced, including the historical classification of them as "flora and fauna."
The celebration of Australia Day on this date perpetuates what is known as structural racism—defined as "a system in which public policies, institutional practices, and cultural norms perpetuate racial inequality." By holding national celebrations on a day of profound Indigenous loss, the nation continues to reflect the very systems that have excluded and marginalised people of color for generations.
Australia’s colonial history is steeped in racist policies like the White Australia Policy, which reinforced the belief in white superiority and excluded people of non-European descent. As Kyran Wheatley puts it, "Australia Day is the definition of structural racism. Indigenous Australians are kept out by hosting it on a day they can't attend." If the aim of Australia Day is unity, it is counterproductive to choose a day that drives such a deep divide.
This structural inequality is still present today, manifesting in Australia's treatment of refugees and Indigenous people. Our national history is marked by policies and actions that continue to harm minority communities, and the refusal to change the date of Australia Day is an extension of that harm.
In his article "Why I Turned Down an Australia Day Award," Tasmanian Aboriginal lawyer Michael Mansell described January 26th as a day celebrating "an invasion that resulted in the ethnic cleansing of Aborigines." He points out that Australia is unique in choosing the date of colonisation as its national day, unlike other countries such as the United States, which celebrates its independence, not the arrival of European settlers.
While some argue that January 26th holds historical significance, it’s important to recognise that Australia Day has not always been celebrated on this date. The first official Australia Day in 1915 was held on July 30th to raise funds for World War I. Other dates have also been used, demonstrating that there is no deep-rooted tradition tied exclusively to January 26th.
The debate around changing the date is often met with resistance from those who claim these events "happened a long time ago" or argue that "I didn’t do anything, so why should I be sorry?" These are privileged responses that ignore the ongoing pain and structural disadvantages faced by Indigenous Australians.
Without fully acknowledging past atrocities, how can we build meaningful reconciliation?
Listening to the voices of Indigenous Australians is crucial. Self-determination and representation at the decision-making table are necessary steps toward healing. Even if we, as individuals, did not participate in the events of colonisation, we must acknowledge that we benefit from a system that privileges certain groups while oppressing others.
Mansell emphasizes that it is "unprincipled to participate in Australia Day celebrations while they remain race-based." To celebrate on this date would be seen as abandoning the struggle for Indigenous rights. By clinging to January 26th, Australians continue to neglect the voices and experiences of Indigenous people, reinforcing a cycle of structural racism.
As Martin Flanagan writes, "We want a day when everyone can proudly be themselves... but not a day that each year releases poison into our body politic." The ongoing celebration of Australia Day on January 26th is not just about honoring the past; it is about recognising the present inequalities and injustices that this date represents.
The refusal to change the date, despite growing awareness and larger rallies each year, reflects a deep-rooted attachment to privilege. Those who quietly celebrate on January 26th, whether with friends or at public events, are complicit in perpetuating the colonial mindset that began in 1788. Such participation reinforces white supremacy and the ongoing marginalisation of Indigenous Australians.
It’s time to reconsider the importance of this date. For those opposed to changing it, I ask you to reflect: why is this date so important? Is it worth perpetuating the suffering of a group of people who have already endured centuries of oppression?
In the spirit of reconciliation, we can take concrete steps to support Indigenous Australians, such as educating ourselves on Indigenous history, listening to their stories, attending Invasion Day rallies, challenging others who celebrate on January 26th, and supporting Indigenous businesses.
The debates surrounding Australia Day reveal the persistence of privilege, ignorance, and racist attitudes in our society. It’s time to change the date so all Australians can celebrate together. After all, there is no pride in genocide.
Stop pretending that celebrating on January 26th is patriotism; it's time to confront the truth.
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