2017-04-05
The Prime Minister should engage in a meaningful way about changing the date for Australia Day, rather than rejecting the City of Hobart decision to discuss the issue, Australian Greens Senator Rachel Siewert said today.
“The Government put enormous pressure on the City of Fremantle when they changed the date for Australia Day celebrations, now the Prime Minister has had a go at the City of Hobart for daring to discuss the issue.
“This is an important discussion for local councils to be having with their communities and the federal Government needs to stop acting like the world will stop turning if the date is moved to be more inclusive.
“January 26 is a day of grieving for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, moving to a day where everyone feels comfortable celebrating this wonderful country should not provoke such vehement opposition from the nation’s leader.
“I urge the Prime Minister to actually listen to Aboriginal leaders and the broader community who believe it is time this issue was addressed”.