should australia day be changed pros and cons
We could all make a list of the things that should be better: trust in politicians, economic competitiveness, standards in schools, safety on our streets (especially in Melbourne), congested roads and inefficient public transport, and yes the well-being of the First Australians, but is anything to be gained by this annual cycle of agonizing over the date of our national day? However, if previous years are anything to go by, that day, whether you call it Australia Day, Survival Day, Invasion Day, or whatever, is likely to be the source of some debate. Am I the only one who believes our politicians now see, us the electorate, as the enemy? Through extensive research, it seems that the argument in favour of a bill of rights is significantly more convincing. If you are single and renting a shared, private accommodation you will receive a higher rate of rent assistance when compared to the Age Pension. I am not sure if treason is still a crime on the statute books. Immigrants do more than create stronger local economies. This is the debate Australians have every year as we approach January 26, and really it's a country grappling with its own identity. There is an extra cost in building DST support into computer systems and keeping them maintained, as well as manually changing clocks. Just over 26 per cent of our 24 million Australians were born overseas and many were granted their citizenship on January 26. . Previously it moved around the final week of that month to give people a long weekend. The generators, plenty of them, were started at 7am and turned off (if we were lucky) at 10 at night. Boney received a wave of negative comments on social media after her speech, but also a large number of articles and commentary in support of her position. Dont make it that day Make it any other day when its not coinciding and were happy to celebrate as Australians, he told CNN. A German analysis of 44 studies on energy use and DST found a positive relationship between latitude and energy savings. A man thought he was in trouble with the RSPCA, but an animal cruelty report turned out to be a case of mistaken identity. They didnt. Is it time for Australia to move its national day of celebration? Copyright 20102023, The Conversation US, Inc. Longer school days could result in attention deficit and fatigue, making the extra class time ineffective. If you have more than $5,000 worth of debt in Australia and your creditors are unable to make payments, then they can force you into bankruptcy. In doing so, it ignores more than 60,000 years of pre-colonial history and 230 years of multicultural migration to Australia.. For some, however, the time change can have more serious consequences to their health. Polls suggest a majority of Australians agree a 2017 survey found 54% of Australians supported keeping the date on January 26, while just 26% wanted it moved. Why do I not see them upset by the injustices committed by Aboriginal people against other Aboriginal people today? JANUARY 26 should continue to be kept as our national day but not because those First Fleet ships landed essential cultural cargo. Answer (1 of 25): The basic reason why we should change the Australian Flag is that the flag no longer represents what Australia is and what Australia wants to be. It is no longer a secret: Australia is an expensive country to live in, and accommodation is a big part of this cost. Australia has its downsides, too, and more than just some truly terrifying wildlife. People walk past a statue of Captain James Cook stands in Sydney's Hyde Park on August 25, 2017, as Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull labelled calls to change colonial-era monuments and the date of Australia Day, in attempts to better reflect the country's indigenous past, as a 'Stalinist' excercise in re-writing history. In that case, your Disability Support Pension stops until you return. There is no excuse for the attack on Charlie Hedbo. Students attend school for 45 days, or about nine weeks, then take off for three weeks, or 15 school days. It only began to be a national public holiday in 1994 - making it a mere 27-year-old tradition. The data tells us that those discussions whether they be in Canberra among the nation's leaders or around your family dining table are likely drawn on generational lines. For many, the answer is no. Besides, there are drawbacks to all the other contenders: too many people are the worse for wear on January 1, the anniversary of the foundation of the Commonwealth of Australia; and Anzac Day commemorates an unsuccessful military campaign (led, you guessed it, by the despised British). The not-for-profit supports Indigenous children who are placed into out-of-home care, an experience that is very personal for Mr Dawe, who himself entered care at just two months old. The woman claiming she may be Madeleine McCann has hit back at Polish police, after they ruled out her version of events to be true. Let's celebrate. Super-efficient Energy Sources 2. However, I believe that in the year 2001, the Australian flag needs to be changed. Australians can find their human rights that are protected in the Constitution, in common law, anti-discrimination laws and other State and Federal legislation. Along with this were the brutal efforts to subjugate the indigenous people. Did you encounter any technical issues? The commemoration of this day has grown contentious in recent years as a result of a "change the date" campaign, in which supporters demand that Australia Day be moved from January 26 to May 9. "Sometimes it's just about surviving Survival Day," said a friend who is feeling exhausted three weeks into January. Aurukun. Surely Westfield Retail could display some moral fibre by granting shop owners rent relief from the colossal sums it saves from avoiding Australian tax, as identified by the international Tax Justice Network and Uniting Church research (12 January)? Australian Catholic University provides funding as a member of The Conversation AU. Easier to Transport 4. The Argument: Australia should have a Bill or Charter of Rights. Read the full article on The Conversation. The shift from highly institutionalised (ie imposed) values to a society with more individual (ie personally thought to be rational) assessments or judgements is probably what we think distinguishes 'us' from 'them'. Once upon a time you could reasonably expect a little peace, quiet and relaxation at a campground. For younger Australians who were taught a more inclusive history at school, or have been educated by music, movies or social media, it looks like this change is already happening. Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out. In 2017, 60 per cent of young Triple J listeners backed moving the iconic Hottest 100 countdown to a new day, out of respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Let's not knock this proposed light rail project: 50 years from now, when all major centres are connected by light rail including the international airport and the fast rail interstate network, the rest of Australia will look at us with envy. I choose not to repeat myself, because the date will change. Remittances are common in nations that invite immigrants. These are the actions of barbarians. Are there bigger issues than changing the date? Modern society, with its computers, TV-screens, and air conditioning units, uses more energy, no matter if the Sun is up or not. log in. While many Australians see it as a chance to celebrate the countrys lifestyle, culture and achievements, typically through barbeques and public events, the date is not a happy one for Australias Indigenous people. As Australians deal with a record-breaking heatwave, environmental devastation and a sixth prime minister in just over a decade, the annual fierce debate over the countrys national day might be the thing that pushes many of them over the edge. Such gullibility would be funny were it not so ominous in this powerful and warlike nation. As you can see, there are a lot of pros and cons to the 4-day school week, but in terms of its long-term effect on academic outcomes, the jury is still out. For most people, the resulting tiredness is simply an inconvenience. A four day work week isn't a compressed work schedule, but rather reduced hours. And as we confront our history, re-write our curriculums, maybe the side of history we chose to honour on our national day changes too. This is the ideological wrestling over which part of this continent's history is more important: the 65,000 years before 1788, or the 240 that have followed. Better sleep: Delayed start time could help teens sleep during their natural sleep/wake cycles. Statue becomes lightning rod for Australian nationalists. It's not magically going to undo centuries of marginalisation and disadvantage. If we wanted to make the whole thing more Australian, we could celebrate the day the Constitution passed the Australian Parliament. Economy, education, and health are all at a high level. We encourage discussion, meaningful and respectful discussion, of the issues and opportunity for all Australians to become better informed about what the issues are, why (January 26) is offensive to many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, he said. Easier to Set Up 6. Did you encounter any technical issues? However, that is not a reason to abandon January 26. . Australia Day is held on the same date Britains First Fleet sailed into Sydney Harbor in 1788, beginning the European colonization which led to the modern nation of Australia. Born in Australia 88 years ago, I would like to endorse Ester Gaia's call for a change in the date when we celebrate our national day (CT, January 13). All times AEDT (GMT +11). It has always been thus. It's a reckoning other colonised countries are having, too. Read our Privacy Policy. Cook is often credited as the first European to discover Australia. People have to inform themselves about politics. 6 important facts every Australian should know about January 26. The Captain Cook statue in Catani Gardens in St Kilda is seen vandalised on January 25 in Melbourne, Australia. A cornerstone of that is an acknowledgment of the trauma that began and has lingered since 1788. In calling for a change to the date of Australia Day (yes, it's that time of the year again) Ester Gaia (CT, January 13) uses the emotive "British invasion and occupation" language to try to reduce the significance of the date. Abso-bloody-lutely! It reminds me of the pain my own people have had to endure, what all my family, community and generations before me have had to go through since that day, he tells news.com.au. Unlike sole traders required to pay tax on all income, the base company tax rate for registered companies is 25%* regardless of profit. Suppose you are to travel outside the country for more than 28 days within a year. Pro: Longer Evenings Setting the clocks forward one hour in spring does not create more daylight, but it does change the time (on the clock) the Sun rises and sets. But any other day of the year Ill tie an Australian flag around my neck and Ill run through the streets.. By Amy Pearson. Goodbye peace and quiet. It might just be a commercial Australian Lambs annual advertisement ahead of Australia Day on January 26 but its struck a nerve with a lot of Australians this year. Donkey votes. But does she really think for one minute that this would be the nation it is today had it not been for the arrival of the First Fleet and the subsequent development of this land as a great democracy in the British tradition? (Photo by Asanka Brendon Ratnayake/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images), British explorer James Cook in Melbourne was vandalized, 56% didnt care when the national day was held. The date of Australia Day should be changed. And for those whose history is being denied, this isn't a war of words, but an exhausting yearly exercise in defending the pain of their existence. The main proposal is to end the reign of the monarch of Australia (the Queen of England, Elizabeth the II) and her appointed Governor-General in Australia, replacing both with an elected president.This debate Continue reading "Australian . It is likely that their institutions will weaken over time but that will take generations. It does not have to be one or the other we can reflect on the past, with particular attention given to the injustices endured by Aboriginal people since the invasion, and celebrate what a great country Australia is today. Why we need to change the date of Australia Day. People may get frustrated. Why do many countries set the clocks back and forth an hour twice a year? Now she believes she's being penalised, Australia looks to press home its advantage with the bat on day two against India, ADF aircraft, personnel to assist evacuation of hundreds from flooded NT remote communities, Toyah Cordingley's accused killer touches down in Cairns to face murder charges, 'Weight of the dead on my shoulders': Academic breaks down at gay hate deaths inquiry, Outside her tent, next to a popular city walking track, homeless Tasha is past caring what people think. There is a lively debate about the pros and cons of Australia Day. A poll commissioned by progressive think tank Australia Institute found 56% didnt care when the national day was held, while a separate poll from conservative group the Institute of Public Affairs resulted in 70% support for keeping Australia Day on January 26. As a foreigner, you should not attempt an Australian accent, nor should you say "G'day" or "G'day, mate." This could sound condescending and like mockery. On the 26th of January 1788, Governor Arthur Phillip raised the British flag at Sydney Cove, beginning the long destruction of Indigenous people and their culture. 54% of Australians supported keeping the date, more than 100,000 people marching across the country to protest Invasion Day, have already tried moving the celebration. To some, January 26 is a modern tradition worth protecting, a celebration of what Australia looks like today. Aboriginal academic Chelsea Bond writes: I march in remembrance for those who lost their lives simply defending their own land and people. Useful Byproducts 3. It would make more sense to celebrate it on the 9th of November-Delta Goodrem's birthday. Anthony Dillon receives funding from the Australian Research Council. I have never been able to book a short (A type) consultation when I have requested one. This makes less sense close to the equator, where the amount of daylight does not vary much in a year, or near the poles, where the difference between winter and summer daylight hours is very large. There are no sound reasons why the date shouldn't be changed but there are plenty of reasons why the nation needs to change. But the movement to change the date has become increasingly mainstream, with more than 100,000 people marching across the country to protest Invasion Day in 2018. Australia Day debate is exhausting and data tells us it could last another generation, Follow the action from the third Test between India and Australia in Delhi in our live blog, Former government services minister Stuart Robert is being questioned at theRobodebt inquiry, Keep up with the latest ASX and business news. Of course, no place is perfect. The economic reforms adopted in the 1980s have transformed Australia into a globally competitive market economy. Changing sleep patterns, even by one hour, goes against a person's natural circadian rhythms and has negative consequences for health. appreciated. Why the Flag Should Change. All Rights Reserved. Our program is addressing the disproportionate rates of aboriginal kids being removed from their parents, families and culture.. Why not nationalise super and create a sovereign wealth fund? Young bright and full of hope is what we all. But changing the date of Australia Day is something we can do now. During World War I (1914 to 1918), Australians had been divided over the question of . The most recent statistics reveal that the extension of DST saved . Send to their inbox. 8. If you are among those who see changing the date of our national day as one way to help heal that bruise, here's a guide to common arguments against it and how to address them. On January 17, after the latest clashes over the date had begun, an impassioned appeal by television host Brooke Boney went viral across the country. The extra hour of daylight can be used for outdoor recreation like golf, soccer, baseball, running, etc. I find that Canberra is generally a well- built and well-organised city, but there are things I do not understand. One can only hope that the practical application of this will be demonstrated by the French government revoking the current law banning of headscarves and female Muslim dress in public places thereby returning to Muslim women the liberty and equality to choose how they dress in accordance with their beliefs and preferences. That eventmight be a long way in the past. However, at latitudes between these extremes, adjusting daily routines to the shifting day length during summer may indeed help to save energy. As the first Aboriginal person to be elected to the NSW parliament and the first Aboriginal woman to serve in the Australian House of Representatives, Ms Burney says she sees the importance of having a national day, however it needs to be one all people can truly celebrate. This means that expats will need a good salary to cover the cost of accommodation. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Australia was completely unprepared. Nationwide News Pty Ltd 2023. The Pros And Cons Of Australia Being A Republic Around Australia Day, There's A Lot Of Controversies. The Pros of Longer School Days More Time for Instruction The number one reason for lengthening the school day is to provide teachers with more time for instruction. Updated Arthur Phillip arrived at Sydney Cove and raised the national flag of the United Kingdom on January 26, 1788. Against other Aboriginal people today well- built and well-organised city, but rather reduced hours vandalised January... 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