Tag: Australia Day

DFAT Says Australia Day Inclusivity Memo Was Not ‘Official’

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has said that a memo sent to the staff prior to Australia Day encouraging them to act “inclusively” towards Indigenous Australians was not an official document and that it should not have been disseminated. It comes after the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) and other media outlets reported…


Captain Cook Statue Vandalised in Australia Day Protests

Statues of Captain James Cook, the first British explorer to discover Australia, have been vandalised with red spray paint in an act of protest on the eve of the country’s national day, Australia Day. The statue of James Cook, a British explorer who chartered the Eastern Coast of Australia and claimed the land for Great Britain…


Jan. 26: Australia Day or Invasion Day?

Commentary Australians will be celebrating Australia Day on Wednesday, Jan. 26. For many years, it was a day of joy and pride when new Australian citizens were welcomed to the country at citizenship ceremonies. Deserving citizens receive their Australia Day Honours on that day. Australians proudly join their neighbours at community festivals, barbeques, music performances,…


Should We Change the Date of Australia Day?

Commentary For a decade now, I have voiced my opinion on the controversy surrounding Australia Day. My views are largely unchanged and can be summarised as follows: I won’t oppose if the date for Australia Day gets changed, but I believe decisions should be made based on sound reasoning and not virtue signalling. Further, if…


New South Wales Sees Spike in Coastal Drownings This Summer, Warning for Australia Day

The New South Wales (NSW) Government is urging beachgoers to be responsible for their own safety ahead of the Australia Day holiday (Jan.26) after an increase in coastal drownings so far this summer. According to a media release on Saturday, since Dec.1, 15 coastal deaths and drownings have occurred, which is two up from the…


An Attack on Democracy: The Burning of Australia’s Old Parliament House

Commentary It has been widely reported that on Dec. 30, 2021, a group of protestors, carrying Aboriginal flags, gathered outside the Old Parliament House in Canberra, the capital city of Australia, and set the front entrance to the heritage listed building ablaze. It was the second such incident; the first one occurred on Dec. 21,…


Australians All Let Us Rejoice for We Were Once Young and Free

Commentary In his Australia Day 2021 message, Prime Minister Scott Morrison proclaimed that “We are a decent, fair, enterprising, and generous people who respond to whatever challenge is put before us. We are a people ‘one and free’ who look out for each other and our neighbours and are always striving to do better.” This…


PM’s Australia Day Speech Reflects on History, Warns of Rising ‘Authoritarianism’

Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Australia Day praised the patience and resilience of Australians who, along with the rest of the world, endured under the strain of the CCP virus pandemic over the last year. His speech covered Australia’s journey in overcoming its brutal beginnings 233 years ago to create and defend one of the…


Australia Day Honours Protested Due to Tennis Legend Margaret Court’s Religious Views

The awarding of Australia’s highest honour to tennis legend Margaret Court has been mired in controversy after other recipients protested her inclusion over her stance towards same-sex marriage. Court, one of the world’s most accomplished tennis players, is expected to be elevated from her previous appointment as an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) to a…


Australian Women Sweep the 2021 Australian of the Year Awards

The board of The National Australia Day Council announced four women as the winners of the 61st Australia of the Year Awards on Jan. 25. Since 1960, Australia has celebrated the achievements and contributions by conferring the award on leading citizens who ignite discussion and change on issues of national importance. Designed to offer an insight into…