Australia Day is divisive. This is not news.
Members of some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and their allies, will demonstrate tomorrow against a day they believe commemorates Australia’s invasion. This is not news, either.
An our Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs would very much like you not to participate on those protests. That, funnily enough, is news.
“Tomorrow is a great, unifying day for the country,” said Alan Tudge, overlooking a sustained grassroots campaign aimed at shifting Australia’s national celebration from January 26.
“The vast majority of everyday Australians will come together at barbeques, or at citizenship ceremonies, or at other events, to celebrate everything that is unique and fantastic about Australia,” Tudge added.
That’s when he implored anyone who dares to advocate for a different Australia Day – including the councils choosing not to partake in festivities – to please, please, not take advantage of the day itself.
“And to those people that want to protest about Australia Day, can I just say protest about the country on every other day of the year if you like. But let us celebrate Australia Day for what it is, and that is a great celebration of everything that is terrific about this country.”
.@AlanTudgeMP: To those people who want to protest about Australia Day, protest about the country on any other day if you like, but let us enjoy Australia Day for what it is: a great celebration of everything that is terrific about this country. https://t.co/afJsom8hHu pic.twitter.com/k2J46paoUV
— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) January 25, 2018
You heard the man. January 26 is not a day for recognising the horrors of our nation’s past – barbecues only.
