Big day unites most of us – PM
Thousands join date debate
ONE protester wants the country to burn to the ground, others are more moderate in their calls to change the date of Australia Day, but Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull believes most people celebrated the occasion.
Mr Turnbull accepts some people staunchly oppose the date of Australia Day, and thousands walked in “Invasion Day” marches across the country to demonstrate their disapproval of celebrating the January 26 anniversary of the First Fleet’s arrival in 1788.
The biggest crowds turned out near the Victorian Parliament in Melbourne and The Block in Sydney’s Redfern, with rallies held in all capitals.
Melbourne protest organiser Tarneen Onus-Williams told the crowd: “F ... Australia, I hope it burns to the ground.”
But many more celebrated across the country yesterday at citizenship ceremonies, barbecues, cricket matches, thong throwing contests and cockroach races, with fireworks displays to cap the day off.
Welcoming a swag of migrants as Australian citizens by Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra, Mr Turnbull said the nation — which welcomed 13,000 new citizens yesterday — was united in its diversity.
He said Australia Day was a chance to celebrate the country as a land of opportunity, while recognising the vital role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in shaping the country. He said the impact of European arrival on the indigenous population was tragic.
Labor leader Bill Shorten said it was a great day for new citizens but also a day of “great pain” for indigenous Australians. He celebrated by speaking at a citizenship ceremony in Melbourne’s west.
Mr Shorten, who opposes changing the date, was critical of elements of protest movements on both extremes of politics, saying Australia Day should not be an “idiot magnet”.
Indigenous leader Warren Mundine also rejected the “vitriolic” nature of the debate, suggesting the community discuss changing the date over a “cuppa”.