WRITTEN BY: Claire Yarran

Australia Day, celebrated on January 26, has become a flashpoint for Australia’s national identity. For some, it’s a day of barbecues and flags, of pride in what the nation has achieved. But for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, it’s a day of mourning—a raw reminder of the invasion that began in 1788, uprooting their ancestors, stealing their lands, and seeking to obliterate their cultures. How can a nation truly celebrate while ignoring the deep scars its foundation left behind?

The arrival of the First Fleet was not the dawn of civilization but a catastrophe. It brought massacres, displacement, and policies designed to annihilate the world’s oldest living cultures. These aren’t distant memories; they’re lived realities. The pain runs through the veins of First Nations peoples today, manifesting in ongoing inequality, systemic discrimination, and an enduring fight for recognition and justice. Celebrating on January 26 doesn’t just ignore this history—it weaponizes it against those who have already borne so much.

Supporters of keeping the date argue tradition and pride. But what kind of tradition prioritizes comfort over compassion? What kind of pride denies the suffering of its own people? Polls may show that 69% of Australians favor the status quo, but this majority cannot drown out the truth: Australia’s national day, as it stands, excludes and divides. Real pride isn’t about clinging to the past; it’s about forging a future that reflects unity and justice.

This is more than a debate about a date—it’s a moral reckoning. It’s about what kind of nation we want to be. Do we perpetuate denial and division, or do we have the courage to face the truth? Changing the date isn’t about erasing history; it’s about honoring it, making room for the voices that have been silenced, and building a day that celebrates everyone.

The way forward is clear:

• Listen to the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have long called for justice.
• Educate Australians about the frontier wars, the massacres, and the resilience of First Nations communities.
• Celebrate a day that reflects the strength, diversity, and unity of this nation.

Keeping January 26 sends a message—that tradition matters more than truth, and that comfort trumps justice. But Australia is better than this. We stand at a crossroads. We can choose denial and division, or we can choose compassion and courage. Rethinking Australia Day is not just about changing a date; it’s about choosing a future where every Australian—every voice, every story—is valued and celebrated.