The proposal is to move the time we celebrate Australia from 26 January to the second last long weekend in January. This will create the Australia Long Weekend – a three-day festival of Australia from Saturday to Monday, about two thirds of the way through January every year. The public holiday on the Monday will be called Australia Day.
Australia Day will move from 26 January to the Australia Long Weekend and will always fall on the second last Monday in the month, which in the calendar is between 18 and 24 January.
The change from a fixed date to the Australia Long Weekend means that:
- we can still celebrate Australia Day in January,
- we can still have all the same events and ceremonies and more,
- we will now always have a long weekend
- we will have more time to not only celebrate, but to reflect on the past, present and future, and enjoy the benefits of being in a multicultural society.
Most Australians want to celebrate being an Australian and our nation. We want everyone to feel welcomed and respected.
January 26 is a date which marks the beginning of British settlement, but also the dispossession of Australia’s Indigenous peoples.
26 January is no longer appropriate
This date has less significance to the many Australians who have come to this country from countries other than Great Britain.
There is an ever-increasing number of Australians who for various reasons feel that this date is no longer appropriate and are seeking a different date and a time that will be widely supported.
The proposed Australia Long Weekend will always pre-date 26 January. Australia Day will be celebrated on the Monday, the date varying between 18 and 24 January.
For everyone
We all need to come together to celebrate our shared history and values – First Peoples’ long history and culture, British democratic traditions and institutions, and our vibrant multicultural society.
The Long Weekend will retain many of the established ceremonies and events and will encourage much more. It will be inclusive, allow time for reflection and relaxation, and time to consider how we can do better. It is also really well positioned in January when considering holidays, school and work.
Australia last Census highlighted Australia’s rich cultural diversity and reported more than 300 languages spoken in our homes, over 100 religions and more than 300 different ancestries.
We have benefited from the rich tapestry of cultures, intellect, cuisines, fashions and sports that have arrived to our shores.
The current date of Australia Day is celebrated as the anniversary of the arrival of British settlement. This ignores both 65,000 + years of Aboriginal occupation and the recent arrival of people from all corners of the globe. We now live in a time where the status quo requires updating.
The Prime Minister of Australia has been made aware of the Proposal.
But the Government of Australia needs to feel that the people of Australia are driving the need for change.
Please show your support for the Proposal by signing the petition and speading the word.