A fresh opinion poll has uncovered that a significant majority of Australians oppose altering the date of Australia Day, with findings released just days before the national public holiday. As protesters mobilise for Invasion Day rallies across the country on Monday, the survey of 1,050 voters by Freshwater Strategy, published on Saturday, indicates that 87 per cent of respondents believe it is important to have an annual day to celebrate Australia.
Overwhelming Support for National Celebration
Within that figure, 57 per cent stated it was 'very important' to have a yearly celebration, while only 30 per cent considered it 'somewhat important'. The poll specifically questioned whether Australia Day should remain on January 26, the date commemorating the arrival of the First Fleet in Sydney Harbour in 1788, when Governor Arthur Phillip raised the Union Jack at Sydney Cove.
For many Australians, particularly Indigenous and First Nations communities, the day is viewed as 'Invasion Day' or a 'Day of Mourning', symbolising the beginning of colonisation and its devastating impacts. However, the survey results present a contrasting public sentiment, with more than two thirds (70 per cent) supporting Australia Day being held on January 26, and merely 12 per cent advocating for a date change.
Cultural Ingrainment and National Pride
Jordan Meyers, head of research at Freshwater Strategy, highlighted a lack of viable alternative dates and noted that Australians have grown accustomed to celebrating the national public holiday in the third week of January. 'It's become ingrained into our culture,' he told The Daily Telegraph. 'My whole life, it's always been January 26 and there's definitely a ritual and build-up around that amongst Australians. And I think people are very attached to that fundamentally.'
Mr Meyers acknowledged that Australia Day evokes diverse sentiments across the population. 'The reality is that an overwhelming majority think that it is important that we have a national day and celebrate our country,' he said. 'I mean, you've got 88 per cent of people saying that they're proud to be Australian. That's pretty clear across age and gender groups, and, you know, supporters of different parties as well.' Only 11 per cent of those surveyed expressed they were not proud to be Australian.
Defining 'Truly Australian'
The survey also explored perceptions of national identity, finding that most Australians feel being 'truly Australian' is defined by respect for national values (74 per cent) and laws (72 per cent). Citizenship was deemed important by 57 per cent, while 55 per cent believed it involved contributing to the community. Just one third (33 per cent) said being born in Australia was a key factor.
Mr Meyers elaborated on shared values, citing having a go, a sense of humour, being down to earth, resilience, mateship, and sportsmanship. 'Fundamentally, people do value our freedom and the community spirit that it's still very strong elements for Australians,' he remarked. 'We're seeing well over 80 per cent of Australians are associating all these terms with Australia today and believe it represents who we are as a people.'
Protest Movements and Alternative Proposals
This data emerges as protesters prepare for Invasion Day rallies in major cities nationwide on Monday, calling for the national holiday to be abolished or relocated. Despite New South Wales Police extending its protest ban for another fortnight, hundreds are anticipated at Sydney's Hyde Park for the annual demonstration, which opposes the holiday marking the First Fleet’s arrival in 1788.
Concurrently, there has been a renewed push to change the date of Australia Day, with over 14,000 individuals endorsing a specific proposal. The petition, initiated by Indigenous-owned fashion label Clothing The Gap, advocates for the creation of an 'Australian Long Weekend' by shifting the holiday to the second-last Monday in January each year. Under this plan, the public holiday would consistently fall between January 18 and January 24, ensuring it does not coincide with January 26.
The poll underscores a complex national dialogue, balancing widespread public attachment to the current date with ongoing activism and alternative visions for commemorating Australia's history and identity.
