Australia Day, January 26th. Do we need to reconsider?

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Australia Day is annually celebrated on the 26th of January; the date recognises the initiation of British sovereignty over Australia in 1788. The nation’s achievements since then are nothing short of outstanding. As regarded as a considerably young nation, we have realized extraordinary growth, expansion, development, stature and respect across the globe; and deemed our greatest achievement, our multiculturalism. Yet despite these momentous attributes and reason to celebrate, we choose to commemorate it on a day that for the vast majority of the population has no real significance whatsoever. Worse yet, for the indigenous population the day only serves to remind them, of their subjugation, their overthrow and their suppression. Moreover, is it time to introduce reforms to our nation’s day?

The majority of the Australian population is aware of Indigenous Australians’ attitudes towards the nation’s day; despite this, little is addressed of the discussion. Former Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd argued there have always been controversies about national days, but that Australia is a nation for all Australians.
‘A nation which has apologised for the mistakes of the past, and there have been many. But a nation now resolved to close the gap in education, in health, and employment, and those things which matter in people daily and practical lives.’ – Kevin Rudd (Invasion day protests amid Australia Day debate, 2009)
This view arouses an interesting point; Australia is a great country to live in with much to offer both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. To focus on changing the date of Australia Day is a smokescreen to the real problems that many Indigenous Australians face; that of health, education, employment and etc. These are ...

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...il 2014, .
Holloway, A 2014 Australia Day or Invasion Day?, Ancient Origins, accessed 15 April 2014, .
‘'Invasion day' protests amid Australia Day debate’ 2009, ABC, 26 January, accessed 15 April 2014, .
Kelly, J 2014, ‘Australia Day: Can we talk about this?’, The Australian Independent Media Network, 17 January, accessed 15 April 2014, .
Peatling, S 2009, ‘Australia Day sparks brawl’, The Sydney Morning Herald, 26 January, accessed 15 April 2014, .

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