Article
Support for Rockliff Concern on Australia Day Date
David O’Byrne MP, Member for Franklin, 1 June 2022
Premier’s support for date change is welcomed, but Government’s official position is still unclear
As more and more people in the community feel uncomfortable about celebrating Australia Day on the 26th of January, the Premier’s support today for changing the date is welcomed. But it is not yet clear if this is the Government’s official position, or what the Premier is doing to progress this change, says David O’Byrne MP.
In response to a question asked by Member for Franklin David O’Byrne in Question Time this morning, the Premier has revealed that he is concerned about celebrating Australia Day on the 26th of January, citing increased discomfort and divisions in the community about the date.
“More and more Tasmanians are feeling uncomfortable about celebrating Australia Day on the 26th of January, as this date is a date of great pain for First Nations Peoples,” said Mr O’Byrne.
“I welcome the Premier’s support for changing the date of Australia Day. His recognition of this issue is a positive first step. But now that he has outlined his support for changing the date, the onus is now on the Premier to take steps towards enacting this important change” said Mr O’Byrne.
In 2021, former Premier Peter Gutwein stated that he supported the national conversation around changing the date of Australia day. In January this year he took it one step further supporting the move from January 26 and outlined his preference for a January three-day weekend model to celebrate our national day away from the pain and divisiveness currently experienced by many.
“Former Premier Peter Gutwein’s support for changing the date was a significant statement from a Premier of a state with our history. It lifted hopes,” said Mr O’Byrne.
“While it is a national holiday, much can be done at a state government level to advocate for this much-needed change to our national holiday.
“I acknowledge the Premier’s personal and his government’s ongoing commitments to Truth-telling and Treaty.
“The Premier must clarify if his position is the official position of the Tasmanian Government, or if it his personal view. It is not yet known if his views on this matter are supported by his Cabinet.
“The theme for reconciliation week this year is Be Brave, Make change. And I think this call for the Premier to act, out of respect for Tasmanian Aboriginal people and the broader community, is exactly that.”
Media release – Aboriginal Lands Council of Tasmania, 1 June 2022
Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania welcomes Premier Rockliff’s stance on Invasion Day.
Rebecca Digney, Manager of the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania (ALCT) has welcomed Premier Rockliff’s statement on the divisive nature of Australia Day in the Tasmanian Parliament.
“It was incredibly heartening to hear that Premier Rockliff has recognised Australia Day as a divisive day for lutruwita/Tasmania” she said.
“For a very long time, palawa/pakana people have taken to the streets each Australia Day to tell the broader public what the day represents to us. Over the years, those street marches have grown in size and support, and now today, we have witnessed the second Tasmanian Premier comment on the inappropriateness of celebrating on January 26” said Ms Digney.
Premier Rockliff’s comments come after a similar sentiment was shared by his predecessor Premier Peter Gutwein.
“When Premier Gutwein went on the public record and stated that he believed it was obvious we needed to have a national conversation about the divisiveness of January 26, we couldn’t believe what we were hearing. Finally, Aboriginal voices were being heard and amplified by those in positions in power, and now, we’ve had two successive Tasmanian premiers say the same thing. There is a really good feeling in the Aboriginal community today” Ms Digney commented.
Ms Digney stated that Premier Rockliff’s comments signify a turning point in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal relations in lutruwita/Tasmania and indicate to palawa/pakana people that under his leadership, his government are committed to the to the truth-telling process.
“Changing the date is a positive step in acknowledging the truth about Australia’s history. It’s more than a date in a calendar, it is a symbolic reminder to Aboriginal people about all they have lost”
Ms Digney said the Aboriginal community remained positive that changing the date would happen quickly.
“We’ve seen how other small communities have led the way in standing with Aboriginal people. It started with Flinders Island Council, and the Launceston City Council followed suit, we’ve also seen support from Hobart City Council. All these local councils have taken steps to move official celebrations and ceremonies to a date other than January 26 to stand in solidarity with the palawa/pakana people of lutruwita/Tasmania – wouldn’t it be amazing if the State Government took action to stand with us, too?”
“There is absolutely no reason lutruwita/Tasmania cannot lead the nation in changing the date,” she said.
Statement – Michael Mansell, Chairman Aboriginal Lands Council of Tasmania, 1 June 2022
The Aboriginal people welcome Premier Rockliff’s position which reinforces the position of his predecessor Peter Gutwein. We expect the position of both premiers reflects Tasmanian government thinking which should now be put into action. There is no legal obligation for the State of Tasmania to be dictated to by Canberra on the appropriateness of January 26th as a date for celebration: the Tasmanian government can move all its official celebrations from January 26th to Monday January 30th 2023, which would be a holiday.
Already the Flinders Council has moved its days of celebration away from the divisive date; the Launceston City Council and Kingborough Council considered moving its ceremonies to another date, and many mainland councils including Fremantle and Yarra councils.
Having an enlightened view in a Premier is very encouraging provided that Premier backs it up with action.