'You can't rewrite history': Sydney indigenous leader says Australia Day date change will divide nation
A Sydney indigenous leader has hit out at plans to move Australia Day, describing the proposal as divisive and saying you can't rewrite history.
Community debate is raging over January the 26 after some councils dumped the date with others considering doing the same.
It's the day that's full of meaning and flags, citizenship and celebration, but it's also the date that for first Australians also marks invasion.
Two Melbourne councils have now dumped January 26. In New South Wales, Lismore council has made a similar move, voting to consult its Aboriginal Advisory Group about changing the date.
Lismore Greens Councillor Adam Guise supported the idea, saying: “For too long we haven't recognised that Australia is an Aboriginal land.”
But Blacktown elder Gordon Workman says all that's doing is dividing.
“It is pushing a wedge between white and the Indigenous Aborigines of this country, that's all it is, nothing more,” Mr Workman said.
“That's when the ships landed. Leave it, [there are] bigger things out there to worry about."
'That's hypocrisy': Sam Armytage grills Melbourne mayor after council dumps Australia Day
'Changing Captain Cook statue could lead to riots': Sunrise debates calls to 'end historical lies'
Other councils are also talking with local indigenous groups, including Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore, who on Wednesday played down any threat to the city's celebrations.
"While the Lord Mayor personally supports the idea of changing the date, she says it's an important matter for the wider Australian community to understand and embrace, and should ultimately be a Federal decision," a spokesperson for Ms Moore said.
While councils choose when to hold citizenship ceremonies, It is the state government's call to determine when to have the public holiday.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the holiday won't be changing.
"Australia Day is a wonderful opportunity for us to celebrate what is great about our country and I would like to see all councils support this wonderful day," she told reporters today.
