Australia debate . Should we change the date ?

As the warm haze of January settles over Australia, a familiar conversation begins to buzz in backyard BBQs, office kitchens, and across social media feeds. It’s the debate over Australia Day, specifically the date it falls on: January 26.

For many, it’s a day for a snag on the barbie and a celebration of everything we love about this sunburnt country. For others, the date is a poignant reminder of a difficult past. Let’s sit down and look at why this day stirs up such strong feelings, and what the two sides of the fence are actually saying.The Story Behind the Date.To understand the debate, we have to look back to January 26, 1788. This was the day Captain Arthur Phillip raised the Union Jack at Sydney Cove, marking the beginning of the British colony in New South Wales. While it’s often thought of as a long-standing tradition, the entire country only started celebrating "Australia Day" on this specific date uniformly as a public holiday in 1994. Before that, states had different names for it—like "Anniversary Day" or "Foundation Day"—and often just celebrated on the nearest Monday to get a long weekend. Why Some Say: "Keep the Date"For those who want to keep the celebrations on January 26, the argument usually centers on tradition and the birth of modern Australia. Foundation of the Nation: Proponents argue that this date represents the moment the foundations of modern Australian society—its legal systems, democracy, and infrastructure—were first laid. A Day for Everyone: Many feel it has evolved into a day to celebrate our multicultural achievements, welcome new citizens, and simply appreciate the "lucky country" we live in today.Focus on the Future: There is a common sentiment that we cannot change the past, and instead of focusing on the pain of 1788, we should use the day to celebrate how far we’ve come as a unified people. Why Others Say: "Change the Date"On the other side, many Australians—particularly First Nations people and a growing number of younger generations—view the date very differently. They often refer to it as Invasion Day or Survival Day. A Day of Mourning: For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, January 26 marks the beginning of dispossession, the loss of culture, and the start of the Frontier Wars. Celebrating on this specific day can feel like celebrating a tragedy.Inclusivity: Advocates for change argue that a national day should be one that every Australian can celebrate without reservation. Moving the date would be a symbolic step toward true reconciliation. Historical Accuracy: Some point out that January 26 is specifically the anniversary of the founding of the colony of New South Wales, rather than the "birth" of Australia as a federated nation (which actually happened on January 1).The Pros and Cons at a Glance Aspect Keep the Date (Jan 26) Change the Date National Identity Celebrates the start of modern, democratic Australia. Allows for a new identity that fully includes 65,000+ years of history.Social Impact Maintains a familiar tradition that brings many communities together.Reduces the pain and exclusion felt by First Nations people.Feasibility No confusion or "erasing" of history; keeps the status quo.Finding a "perfect" new date is difficult and may cause further debate.Reconciliation Focuses on celebrating shared values regardless of the past.Seen as a necessary "truth-telling" action to move forward together.Where To From Here? The conversation is shifting. In recent years, more and more local councils have moved their citizenship ceremonies away from the 26th, and many workplaces now allow employees to "swap" the public holiday for another day.Whether the date eventually moves to May 8 (because it sounds like "Mate"), January 1 (Federation), or remains right where it is, the fact that we are talking about it shows a country that cares deeply about its identity. It’s a complex, sometimes uncomfortable, but ultimately very "Aussie" conversation about who we were, who we are, and who we want to be.