A day of disagreement

Australia Day date on agenda at Labor conference

GEELONG’S Labor representatives are split over whether Australia Day should stay on January 26 ahead of a crucial vote today.

A motion to shift Australia Day from January 26 to May 9, the date when the Commonwealth parliament first convened in 1901, is set to be a key dividing line at the Victorian Labor annual conference.

State ministers Lisa Neville, John Eren and Gayle Tierney were in lock-step in support for the status quo although Geelong MP Christine Couzens did not return calls.

“ALP delegates are welcome to debate these matters, but I don’t support changing the date,” all three ministers said a statement, echoing comments made by Premier Daniel Andrews earlier in the week.

However, star candidates in must-win Federal and State constituencies were less enamoured with the 1788 anniversary date of British settlers arriving in Botany Bay near Sydney.

Corangamite Labor candidate Libby Coker said many indigenous Australians were opposed to January 26.

“We do need to look at changing the date,” Ms Coker said. “The date on which we currently celebrate Australia Day is highly symbolic and it is worthy of debate given that so many of our first Australians find January 26 offensive.”

South Barwon candidate Darren Cheeseman declined to say whether he supported January 26 or May 9.

“I think there’s arguments for both,” Mr Cheeseman said.

The January 26 date has been divisive within Labor ranks since the 1988 bicentennial celebrations.

The Hawke government distanced itself from aspects of the 200th party, notably declining to fund a re-enactment of the First Fleet from Portsmouth to Sydney.

However, Corio MP Richard Marles said it was important to take a broad perspective on the national date.

“I think it’s more important we have a well-rounded understanding of the significance of that day for all Australians than changing the date,” Mr Marles said.

“Citizenship ceremonies, which are a feature of the day, remind us of the role immigration has played in shaping the country we live in today.”