ABC backs down as ex-PM backflips

THE ABC has backed down on using “Invasion Day” to mark today’s national holiday as former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd also backflipped on his position about changing the date.

The furore over Australia Day is expected to intensify today when hundreds of protests gather at The Domain in Sydney amid a huge police presence with police urging people not to blatantly disregard COVID laws by attending.

The ABC yesterday removed references to “Invasion Day” from an online piece which sparked anger from state and federal politicians and “disappointed” Premier Gladys Berejiklian. A spokeswoman described the backdown as a bid to “avoid any reader confusion” with the broadcaster’s terminology for Australia Day, stating that ABC policies don’t allow “Australia Day” and “Invasion Day” to be used “interchangeably”.

The wording of the article was changed on Monday afternoon to read: “Australia Day is a contentious day for many. Here are the events being held on January 26”.

Following the change, a spokesman for Mr Fletcher said the minister was “aware of the ABC’s correction and welcomes it as a sensible outcome”.

In another about-face yesterday, Mr Rudd (pictured) declared Australia Day should be moved from January 26, reversing the opinion he held while in office.

Writing in the Nine newspapers, Mr Rudd suggested Australia Day could be marked on June 3 — the date of the historic Mabo decision in the High Court.