Couzens won’t commit on date change debate
GEELONG MP Christine Couzens has declined to say whether she supports Australia Day remaining on January 26, despite all of her regional colleagues expressing a view.
Debate over a resolution to move Australia Day from January 26 to May 9 was abruptly terminated at Victorian Labor Party conference over the weekend.
May 9 was the date in 1901 when the federal Parliament first convened in Melbourne to govern Australia as a federated nation. “I don’t really have a view — there’s a wide variety of views in the Aboriginal community and I think it’s worthy listening to those opinions,” Ms Couzens said.
Bellarine MP Lisa Neville, Lara MP John Eren and Western Victoria MP Gayle Tierney all expressed their support for January 26 ahead of the vote last week.
Corangamite Labor candidate Libby Coker said she wanted to examine alternative dates for the national day given the offence it causes to many indigenous Australians.
South Barwon Labor candidate Darren Cheeseman gave an equivocal answer, not indicating whether he was in favour of January 26 or not.
A State Government spokeswoman declined to say why debate over Australia Day and national refugee policy was shut down by Labor officials.
“The operation of the State Conference is a matter for the Victorian Labor Party and conference delegates,” the spokeswoman said.