The Australia Day Debate

This paper analyzes two articles that discuss the celebration of Australia Day and the debate surrounding changing the date. One article argues for the celebration of the national day, while the other suggests changing the date due to the historical oppression and trauma experienced by the indigenous and aboriginal people. The paper examines the different perspectives and concludes that changing the date would promote equality, harmony, and inclusion.

Running head: THE AUSTRALIA DAY DEBATE
THE AUSTRALIA DAY DEBATE
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1THE AUSTRALIA DAY DEBATE
The national day of Australia is called the Australia day which is celebrated on
January 26. On this day the first fleet of the British ships arrived in the year 1788. The ships
came to New South Wales, Port Jackson. On this day Governor Arthur Philip took possession
of New South Wales by colonizing it and the first time raised the British flag in Sydney
Cove. Earlier it was also knows as the Foundation Day, First Landing and also Anniversary
Day. This day later became a public holiday. This paper is going to analyze two articles that
talk about the celebration of the National day and why it is important to change the national
day of Australia.
January 26 is mainly celebrated as an anniversary of the advent of Governor Arthur
Philip who came to colonize the country. People have different opinions about this
celebration as this had been a curse for the aboriginal people of then Australia who had
suffered a lot after the colonization. There are several articles that speak for the celebration
also against the celebration.
In an article by the Australian politician Tony Abbott, he stated that January 26 marks
as the celebration of the development of Australia as a country. The article makes a point that
the Western civilization has a role to play in the development of Australia. The article
supports the celebration of the national day but not at the cost of the sheer torture and
discrimination faced by the aboriginal people during the time of colonization but for the
development of the public since then. It marks a celebration of how people have come a long
way and how far there are yet to go to make Australia a better country with each passing
year. Here it reflects the kind side of the Governor Arthur Philip who then declared that
“there shall be no slavery in a free land”. However it does not deny the exploitation of the
aboriginal people and the times where inequalities, racism, lack of basic necessities were
prevalent in the country. The best thing now in this time is the aboriginal people being proud
to be part of the country. The main celebration of National day is not the advent of Governor

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Arthur Philip but also the inclusion and the rise of Australia as a successful country from
crucial times (Abbott, 2019).
In another article by Professor Tom Calma AO, Chancellor, University of Canberra
stated that there the date January 26 is an Australia that people do not strive to be in the
future. This article supports the suggestion of changing the National day of Australia as it
embarks the commencement of a history of oppression, trauma and dispossession for the
indigenous and the aboriginal people. The article suggests that by the history people should
understand that what exactly is being celebrated. Aboriginal people are considered to be the
First Australians and due to colonization they have been tortured, mistreated and exploited
thoroughly for their pleasure and work. According to the author the events are still a
nightmare for the aboriginal people and till date they are recovering from the past events
during the time of colonization. He states that changing the date of the Nation day of the
country can make a huge impact that shows the inclusion of aboriginal people in the country.
This will how the National day celebrating acceptance, diversity, harmony and inclusion (The
Conversation, 2019).
The two articles have different opinions about the National day. The article by Tony
Abbott suggests the date should not change as it celebrates a whole new idea and not the
colonization by the British and the other article by Professor Tom Calma suggests that the
date should be change as it is disrespect to the aboriginal people. Abbott in his approach feels
that the date should remain the same, acknowledges some aspects of the Western civilization
that made Australia a better country and brings a whole new reason for celebration. However,
he does acknowledge the wrong that has been done to the aboriginal people and the
sufferings faced by them. However he also feels that the Australia has become a better
country and the aboriginal people are proud to be part of the country thus this is another
reason to add to the celebration. In contrast Calma states that it is wrong to celebrate National

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day on a day where the first civilizations of the country were mistreated and treated like
slaves. In his article he states that the aboriginal people are a part of the country and one
cannot celebrate another person’s mourning day.
Both articles have a different point of view on the National day of Australia. The
article by Abbott states a new reason for the celebration however the day still is a traumatic
day for the aboriginal people who are a part of the country. Aboriginal people have always
been discriminated and deprived of their rights. The effects of the colonization can be still
seen today and the day is like a scar to them. As aboriginal people are rightfully a part of the
country it is necessary to look at their history and their sufferings. It is the least that people
can do for the aboriginal people by not celebrating on the day some other people have
suffered due to the same action. As Abbott states that it is the celebration of a new developing
Australia. It will actually become a new Australia only when there is equal justice and people
treated the same. The changing of date of the National day will bring a huge change and
make a positive impact in the country by promoting equality, harmony and inclusion of the
aboriginal people in the country.
The celebration of the National day will always be a mourning day for the aboriginal
people due to the historical events that lead to the sufferings of the aboriginal people. Making
a change in the date will ensure happiness to the entire population of the country and show
the acceptance of the aboriginal people in the society.

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Reference
Abbott, T. (2019). Australia Day debate: There are 364 other days to wear a black armband
- The Hon Tony Abbott MP. [online] The Hon Tony Abbott MP. Available at:
http://tonyabbott.com.au/2018/01/australia-day-debate-364-days-wear-black-armband/
[Accessed 9 Apr. 2019].
The Conversation (2019). A modern and united Australia must shift its national day from
January 26. [online] The Conversation. Available at: http://theconversation.com/a-modern-
and-united-australia-must-shift-its-national-day-from-january-26-90385 [Accessed 9 Apr.
2019].