Ex-Victorian Premier Urges Prime Minister to Take a Position on Australia Day Controversy
‘If the Prime Minister doesn’t believe in Australia Day, he ought to stand down,’ Jeff Kennett said.
Former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett has called on Anthony Albanese to state his position on the Australia Day debate saying the highly politicised issue will be ongoing for decades if the government’s stance is not made “now.”
“If the prime minister does not support the country he leads openly and with vigour, if he wants to change the date, do it, but do it now so we don’t have to go through this every year.”
This comes after the PM refused to support calls by NSW Premier Chris Minns for Cricket Australia and Tennis Australia to reconsider their decision to not acknowledge Jan. 26 as Australia Day.
Mr. Albanese has instead called on the nation to stop looking for reasons where Australians can be “outraged.”
“We need to come together. Look, some people will go to the cricket, people will celebrate or for some people, for First Nations people, I respect the views that they have, someone like (Indigenous player) Scott Boland has expressed those. They’re entitled to express those views,” Mr. Albanese said.
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“But it’s one where I think it’s an important day for Australia and I certainly will be participating in all the events.”
On Jan. 25, the prime minister’s office encouraged all government departments to fly the Australian national flag.
“In accordance with flag protocol, all Australian Government departments and associated portfolio agencies should fly or display the Australian National Flag all day on Friday, 26 January 2024. Other organisations are welcome to participate,” the statement read.
Sporting Stars Weigh In
On Jan. 23, cricket captain Pat Cummins weighed in on the debate saying while he “absolutely” loved Australia, a more “appropriate” date to celebrate Australia should be chosen.
Mr. Cummins’ position was supported by vice-captain Steve Smith.
“[The issue] is not new,” Mr. Cummins said. “This conversation comes up every year and Cricket Australia has been pretty consistent the last four or five years with the way they approach it.”
In 2021, Cricket Australia dropped the term “Australia Day” from its marketing, with some teams wearing Indigenous strips instead.
Mr. Kennett has lambasted Cummins’ and Cricket Australia’s positions on Australia Day.
“To have our cricket captain wearing the baggy green, the Australian cricket team, and he cannot understand the connection between the opportunities he’s had with Australia is beyond me.
“How can they on one hand accept 60 million dollars, because they had financial debt in COVID, and not celebrate Australia Day, is an indication from me that we have lost the plot.”
Australia Day Debate Has Become ‘Wokeish’
Mr. Kennett emphasised that a portion of Australians have become “complacent” over the last 20 years and that the nation has “lost touch with the reality of what Australia is, and what it has become, and what its future may be.”
“We’re complacent about everything. It’s almost wokeish to be in the minority arguing against the things of which the things this country was founded,” Mr. Kennett told 3AW.
“Until and if that changes, we should celebrate our history, our diversity, and more importantly what we have and are on the 26th, and what the future offers us all,” he opined.
“Just think about it for a moment. In how many other countries around the world on their national day will people be waking up to military conflicts, deaths, injuries, famine or disease, racial, and religious intolerance? Dozens!
“What will we be waking up to?
“A secure and harmonious society. A democratic society, and proudly, the most envied multicultural nation on earth.”
According to a recent Roy Morgan Research poll, more than two-thirds of Australians, 68.5 percent, said Jan. 26 should remain known as “Australia Day,” while 31.5 percent said Jan. 26 should be known as “Invasion Day.”
