The 26 January date is arguably the most polarising day on Australia’s calendar.
Each year, as Australia Day approaches, a fierce national debate occurs about the history and significance of the day, the general public's want for a celebratory public holiday/long weekend, and whether or not the date needs to be changed.
For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Australia Day is a day of mourning, as 26 January marks the landing of the First Fleet in 1788, which began the processes of colonisation, dispossession, and loss of culture for First Nations people.
So, what do Australians think?
Recent data from the Institute of Public Affairs revealed 69% of people surveyed agree Australia Day should be celebrated on 26 January - up 6% from last year.
While only 14% disagreed with the current date, down 3% from 2024.
“This year’s poll results show that following the divisive Voice to Parliament referendum, as well as the Woolworths saga, mainstream Australians no longer fear the elites, and are now not afraid to loudly speak up for our country and our shared values,” said Daniel Wild, Deputy Executive Director of the Institute of Public Affairs.
It is important to note that 26 January has been a national public holiday since 1994.
Before this, a version of “Australia Day” moved around to the final week of January to give people a long weekend to celebrate.
Over the past 10 years, the “Change the Date” campaign has been at the forefront of political discussion and media attention.
As a result, individuals and businesses have boycotted the day as a political statement and sign of solidarity.
In 2024, Woolworths Group made the controversial decision to pull Australia Day merchandise from their shelves.
However, the supermarket giant recently released a statement saying Woolworths would be “celebrating Australia Day as a team, and with our customers”, through a range of merchandise and food selections for the day.
Changes made last year were said to be “due to decline in demand in stores” and the decision to return products this year was due to “many customers and teams [wanting] us to do more to help them celebrate the day,” a spokesperson said.
While divisive, a decision like this “is telling us that businesses, whether they're small or large, are having serious discussions and conversations about national history, their role in the community and particularly their role in things like reconciliation,” Associate professor of sociology Rachel Busbridge told Bloomberg’s The Asia Trade.
The Federal Government has shown their support for the national day and has announced more than A$10 million in financial support to community events across the country on Australia Day.
“Australia Day gives us time to connect with family, friends and community – a day to celebrate the freedoms we share and the values and beliefs we hold… reflect on our complete and complex history, to acknowledge the past, and respect and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ history and continuing culture,” said Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister Patrick Gorman.
The program allows eligible applicants to apply for a grant of $10,000 (plus $5000 extra for including “Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander elements”) to deliver events to the community on the national day.
Over 730 events will take place outside major cities with a 15% increase from last year.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese weighed in on the debate today calling for Opposition Leader Peter Dutton to “chill out” when it comes to Australia Day.
“Peter Dutton every year has a fight with an imaginary friend over something that most Australians are just getting on with Australia Day,” said Albanese.
A national Essential poll also suggests that more people are willing to celebrate Australia Day on 26 January.
People were asked if Australia should have a separate national day to recognise Indigenous Australians.
40% did not want a separate day, 30% were in favour of another day and keeping the current Australia Day and 19% supported a separate day to replace Australia Day altogether.
Albanese also said, “One of the things that Australia Day celebrates is the fact that we’re not a Soviet-style command system. You know, like just chill out! Get on with life. The debate’s over which company has thongs in it!”
“I support Australia Day. I’ll be celebrating Australia Day. I hope that Peter Dutton joins me in a bipartisan show of support for our national day in our national capital,” he added.
Associate Research Director, Public Affairs for Ipsos Nonie Finlayson said "Despite all the media around First Nations issues in the last few years, culminating in the Voice to Parliament referendum last year, there has been no significant change in how Australians feel about moving the date of Australia Day.
“And yet, there is a consensus that this is inevitable, perhaps reflecting the increasing knowledge of and interest in First Nations issues we’ve seen across Australia in recent research.”
Recent polls also show that almost four in 10 (38%) Australians think that in the next decade, Australia will move the date of the national day, despite data showing the majority of people still believe the date is okay as it is.
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