What does the US celebrate on July 4? Independence Day, I.e. independence from British rule! What do we celebrate on Australia Day? British rule! And the dispossession of our indigenous people. January 1 1901 is the key date in our history. Federation, states, not colonial outposts. Not perfect, we still had a White Australia policy, but a more appropriate occasion to celebrate. I'm all for celebrating our great country. I was even born on Australia Day! But why selecting a more appropriate date seems to aggravate so many people is beyond me. it's just a resistance to change, the definition of conservatism. Change is good, when it makes sense.
