Australia Day: Most Australians don't mind what date it's held, according to new poll
AM
By political reporter Stephanie Borys
Posted about 6 hours ago
PHOTO: Thirty-seven per cent of respondents said they believe the current date is offensive. (ABC News: Tony Trung)
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Do we need to change the date of Australia Day? Fifty-six per cent of Australians don't mind when it's held, just so long as there is a national day of celebration, according to a new poll.
Key points:
- Less than half of respondents identified the First Fleet as the reason why January 26 is the current date
- Greens leader Richard Di Natale says the results demonstrate "a great opportunity to move the nation forward"
- Nearly half — 49 per cent — of those surveyed believe Australia Day should not be on a day that is offensive to Indigenous Australians
But less than half were able to identify the arrival of the First Fleet as the reason why January 26 was chosen.
The poll was conducted by Canberra think-tank The Australia Institute, and released amid increased debate about the date.
Greens leader Richard Di Natale has launched a renewed campaign for changeand jumped on the figures.
“What it does demonstrate is there is a great opportunity to move the nation forward, to choose a day that allows us to celebrate all the things that it means to be Australian,” he said."
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-01-...than-half-dont-mind-changing-the-date/9337500
The Hard Righties stiff upper lips will be in a flap over this lol!
