A Date For All To Celebrate

Politicians shouldn’t flip flop. But we must admit when we are wrong. We are good at taking power and bad at returning it to those who should hold it.

When it comes to supporting the current date of Australia Day, I have been wrong. It is time to admit that and recommit myself to the work of reconciliation.

Previously when asked about Australia day I have said I support 26 January as being the date which we celebrate as a nation. In all honesty this is what I thought was right, but I can’t deny it also balanced with political considerations - looming State and Federal elections and the desire to avoid public disagreement.

That’s why now, well away from any election and the annual intensity of this debate is the right time to think openheartedly about this policy challenge.

I was deflated sitting in the House of Representatives as Ken Wyatt admitted that there would be no Indigenous voice to Parliament this term.

I asked myself why couldn’t the Liberal and National politicians see this was a nation building moment that they were missing? Why won’t they change their mind? When you get frustrated with your political adversaries, sometimes it is best to look inside. Pause. Reflect.

If I am to believe that the Morrison Government might one day change their mind on a Constitutionally enshrined voice to Parliament, then I must also be willing to change my mind.

My concerns remain that if we change the date without bringing the Australian community along, we will see counter-culture celebrations which would be incredibly divisive.

But I have renewed optimism that we can bring the country together as part of this journey. Western Australia should lead in bringing people together as we find a new date.

Each year we hear how 26 January is a date that is symbolic to the eastern states. It is not a date that means much to what became Western Australia.

So if many Western Australians feel the current date isn’t relevant to them, imagine how our first Australians feel.

For years I had hoped that this debate would be resolved through the Indigenous Voice to Parliament as that voice would be impossible to ignore.

Sadly that powerful Indigenous voice is not coming any time soon.  Australia is now four years on from the Uluru Statement and so little has changed. The political will does not exist in the current Government.

Anthony Albanese and Labor are committed to enacting the Uluru Statement if elected. The work of reconciliation is never finished but we are too far behind.

Moving the date of Australia Day might give the momentum our nation needs.

When I look at the things I love about Australia Day, none of them are intrinsically connected to the date of 26 January. It is time with friends, the end of summer, being outside, enjoying the fireworks. These will all be there on another date.

For added joy, as a member of Parliament I see our newest Australians take their affirmations and oaths as they become citizens.

But at those ceremonies I also see the pain in Aboriginal leaders in Perth balancing their culture, historic hurt and the importance of Australia Day.

At Australia Day 2022 I want to be able to walk in step with them as we continue to heal this nation.

There are hundreds of days to choose from. The anniversary of the Apology on 13 February holds a special place in my heart as one of the last true bipartisan acts of the House of Representatives. But there are many worthy suggestions including Wattle Day on 1 September, the last Sunday in January or the Mabo decision on 3 June. 

At some point the date we celebrate together will change. Let’s work together as a nation as we acknowledge our history and build a stronger Australian community.

First published in The West Australian on 11/10/2021.