Remittances are common in nations that invite immigrants. In Voltaire's Candide two armies camp near each other before battle and both ask the same God for victory. Once upon a time you could reasonably expect a little peace, quiet and relaxation at a campground. (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. Inc. Australia; Private Media; wpDiscuz. January 26: Australia Day vs Survival Day. The number was somewhat higher for adults with high-risk conditions (60%) and people 65 and older (68%). Here is my request to ACTION. Climate and Nature. Being the father of an indigenous man, now aged 54, whom we adopted when a baby, I have witnessed the many forms of racial discrimination he, along with his natural siblings, suffered over the decades while living in white communities. But a group of conservative politicians led by Prime Minister Scott Morrison have pushed back hard, saying they will protect Australia Day and ensure it is respected. The Australian flag was chosen in 1901, when a competition was held to design our country's flag. Like Christmas Day, Australia Day is a holiday where most can relax and socialise, and reflect on matters that are of importance to them. 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'. The Captain Cook statue in Catani Gardens in St Kilda is seen vandalised on January 25 in Melbourne, Australia. January 26 is not a day for celebration - that's why news.com.au is campaigning to change the date of Australia Day, so we can celebrate the best country in the world, without leaving anyone behind. Are there bigger issues than changing the date? The consequences of that have filtered through the generations, contributing to huge differences in health and financial outcomes for First Nations people, higher rates of incarceration and the number of children in out-of-home care. So why do more than 70 countries in the world still use DST? Today, the amount of energy saved from DST is negligible. "When those 12 ships turned up in Sydney all those years ago, it wasn't a particularly flash day for the people on those vessels," he said. By Amy Pearson. For most people, the resulting tiredness is simply an inconvenience. The downsides of going cashless include less privacy, greater exposure to hacking, technological dependency . This is the best country in the world no doubt, but I cant separate January 26 from the fact that my brothers are more likely to go to jail than they are to go to school, or that my little sisters and my mum are more likely to be beaten and raped than anyone elses sisters and mum, she said on morning TV. There's more to us than that, more that deserves to be celebrated. Among older generations, support ranged from 73 per cent for Generation X, 80 per cent for Baby Boomers and 90 per cent for Silent Generation, which are those 73 years and older. Not much, it's the generators that people bring to power all this stuff that are the cause of all the trouble. That will take policy designed in concert with Indigenous communities and leaders, representation in places that matter, understanding of past wrongs, and likely several decades. 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. Those opposed to Australia Day, mainly for the date on which is celebrated, do so because of the historical significance the British invasion and the destruction it brought. This used to be the greatest country on Earth, but weve lost the plot.. In his work, Mr Dawe has been trying to unravel the cycle of intergenerational trauma which began in 1788, was continued through Government-sanctioned policy through the Stolen Generation and carries on today. (This includes) finding a day where we can all feel included and celebrated for what is now a very diverse country that we all call home as Australians.. 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. January 26 is not a day for celebration thats why news.com.au is campaigning to change the date of Australia Day, so we can celebrate the best country in the world, without leaving anyone behind. Certainly the sustained British presence on this continent eventually produced the liberal democracy, private enterprise priority, independent judicial system we now prize. However, at latitudes between these extremes, adjusting daily routines to the shifting day length during summer may indeed help to save energy. But the conservative Liberal National Coalition government has criticized any suggestion of a potential change of date, including Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. It feels, as Woolwonga/Gurindji woman Susan Moylan-Coombs says, "like pressing on a bruise". Our present flag dates from only 1953. But changing the date of Australia Day is something we can do now. The Australia Talks National Survey 2021 has revealed a majority of people now believe Australia Day should not be celebrated on January 26, given the historical significance of the date for Indigenous nations. Don't have an account? Calma believes the movement to change the date Is gaining momentum, adding: We see the big marches and the protests, and participating in events around Australia. It is a day for national unity, and it is too easy to come up with reasons for division. The Pros And Cons Of Australia Being A Republic Around Australia Day, There's A Lot Of Controversies. For us, thats a real true sign of reconciliation.. There are differing interpretations of what it means to celebrate on January 26. That eventmight be a long way in the past. My opinion, yes it should be changed. The prime, simple reason for Australia Day staying put is that most Australians want it that way so they can salute their nation. Warning: This article contains images of Indigenous people who have died. This means that expats will need a good salary to cover the cost of accommodation. They brought the worst elements of an empire from tyranny to syphilis with no thoughts of creating a shining, democratic outpost. Email: letters.editor@canberratimes.com.au. Pros: great fresh food; relaxed lifestyle; climates to suit your preference depending on where you live; decent standard of living for almost anyone with a job when compared to say the US. Keep your letter to 250 words or less. Pros Australia Day has no long standing history, so there should be less resistance to change. It's not magically going to undo centuries of marginalisation and disadvantage. 2023 Cable News Network. Australia has changed almost beyond recognition in regard to Aboriginal people in recent years. We heard this from our Prime Minister just days ago: "Australia Day is about how far we've come," Scott Morrison said. Along with this were the brutal efforts to subjugate the indigenous people. Health Complications 4. "Boost in patrons for Canberra's Nightrider bus service over Christmas", says The Canberra Times (January 11). A 4 day work week may seem like a radical idea, but we've gradually reduced the number of hours worked within a typical work week since the late 19th century. Environmental Degradation 2. Look at a bus stop near a school, office, cafe or shopping centre and you will see what I mean. Send it! Watch: What January 26 means to different Australians. There is no excuse for the attack on Charlie Hedbo. As an expat from Europe I have been living in Canberra for more than two years now. More than half (53%) of millennials (those born between 1986 and 2002) think we should not celebrate Australia Day on January 26. Discovery Company. Consider the celebration of Christmas Day. In the 18th century, this no doubt upset Christians; and maybe it even made them think critically, about war, faith, prayer. Small wonder that some bus stops in Canberra look like pigsties. If January 26 is abandoned, selection of an alternative day could be overwhelmed by history games: you provide a date and someone will provide the negating atrocity. In addition to the problem of violence there is poor health, community dysfunction, unemployment, child neglect, and poor school attendance. Some Australians wish to change the date of Australia Day in order to advance the process of reconciliation, while the Australia Day National Committee appeals to all Australians . Longer school days could result in attention deficit and fatigue, making the extra class time ineffective. The Australian flag debate is a periodic question over whether the Australian flag should be changed, particularly to remove the Union Jack from the canton, but also to possibly introduce a completely new design without the Southern Cross. 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. 2023 Cable News Network. We should acknowledge this and celebrate what a great country Australia is - and work together to make it even better. To others, it can never be detached from the past, from an event that started systematic oppression of an ancient culture. Voting in federal elections and referendums is compulsory for every Australian aged 18 and over. Compulsory voting may prevent extremism. Today, Indigenous peoples are still recovering from the chain of events that were set in motion on that day in 1788. It's getting harder and harder to find peace and quiet anywhere. Charlie Hebdo is a wrecking ball, in this respect, rather than a builder. The generators, plenty of them, were started at 7am and turned off (if we were lucky) at 10 at night. The UK on the other hand is notoriously rainy or overcast. So while we're inevitably going to be caught in this change the date, abolish the date, or keep the date debate for a number of years yet, maybe the American record shows us where we are headed and it'll be the younger generations taking us there. To argue that Australia Day should be on January 26 because of a richly embraced tradition is a hard sell, too. The kids are being taken away not only from their family but their identity and knowing where they come from, says Mr Dawe. A five-day week entitles 28 days' annual leave a year. Then, of course, with the standard for indexation for pensioners and ComSuper retirees tied to the CPI, is it fair to assume that the Parliamentary pension scheme will follow suit? We can celebrate the achievements of our Aboriginal brothers and sisters, and the successes achieved together. Statue becomes lightning rod for Australian nationalists. All times AEDT (GMT +11). Even 27 years ago, the ABC News evening bulletin featured political leaders and Indigenous groups arguing about whether it was the right day to celebrate, long before #changethedate. 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. Cons of living in Australia. I hope you are ashamed to have been part of such a regressive and pointless gesture. Two weeks before Australia Day 2019, Prime Minister Morrison announced potential measures which would ban councils from holding citizenship ceremonies on any day other than January 26. Today many Australians celebrate Christmas for other reasons: family; end of another hard year; food and drink; and summer holidays. Register, Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout. Mr Dawe also acknowledges the hope and optimism in his work and is encouraged by the swathes of non-Indigenous people who attend Invasion Day rallies across Australia. Ms Gaia writes of her love of her adopted land and recognises the security and benefits Australian citizenship has given her. By contrast, 74% of those over 75 said "disagree" or . January 26 represents where it all started to change for our people for the worst, the beginning of intergenerational pain and suffering for our people, says proud Butchulla and Gawara saltwater man, Isaiah Dawe. Write an article and join a growing community of more than 160,400 academics and researchers from 4,572 institutions. The economic reforms adopted in the 1980s have transformed Australia into a globally competitive market economy. 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. When Australia shaped its foreign and economic policy, Europe and the US were taken as an example. References to Canberra Times reports should include date and page number. Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out. Join the conversation, you are commenting as. Letters may be edited. Generates Thousands of Jobs 5. Australia Day: Why we need to change the date There are many things we want to celebrate about Australia, but 26 January doesn't represent an inclusive day for everyone. 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. Similar numbers are expected to march this year, according to local media. By changing the date, Australia can show that it is ready to truly accept and include Indigenous histories, cultures and contributions as a valued part of the Australian story. Arthur Phillip arrived at Sydney Cove and raised the national flag of the United Kingdom on January 26, 1788. Every year Australia Day, held on January 26, is the focus of huge controversy and debate. Useful Byproducts 3. Post continues below. It is hard to determine the economic cost of the collective tiredness caused by DST, but studies have found a decrease in productivity after the spring transition. 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. And far from everyone wants to. According to a 2014 Rasmussen Report, only 33% of Americans see the purpose of DST. The day before Australia celebrated its national day Friday, a statue of British explorer James Cook in Melbourne was vandalized, covered with pink paint and the words No pride.. I find that Canberra is generally a well- built and well-organised city, but there are things I do not understand. Increased momentum around changing the date of Australia Day reflects a growing sense that January 26 is symbolic of the Australia we used to be, not the Australia we hope to become. Changing the time, even if it is only by one hour, disrupts our body clocks or circadian rhythm. Not in a hyper-nationalistic way but as an occasion for family and suburban-based celebration. We should acknowledge this and celebrate what a great country Australia is and work together to make it even better. Celebrating on a particular day does not have to be tied to historical events, even if its origins are rooted in those events. One of the aims of DST is to make sure that people's active hours coincide with daylight hours so that less artificial light is needed. Cricket Australia stands firm on 'Australia Day' decision despite Prime Minister's criticism. [ 1] [ 2] Discovery Company. But that happened despite the objectives of the First Fleet. It appeals to the party base and doesnt require any substantial counter policy. 3. Copyright 20102023, The Conversation US, Inc. That's how most Australian's, celebrate the day, if they celebrate it at al Continue Reading Matt Jennings Former Youth Basketball Coach Updated 6 mo Promoted There is a lively debate about the pros and cons of Australia Day. 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. Easier to Transport 4. But changing the date is not the answer. appreciated. Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out. Australia was completely unprepared. Australians can find their human rights that are protected in the Constitution, in common law, anti-discrimination laws and other State and Federal legislation. I certainly dont see what happened at the time of the invasion as worthy of celebrating nobody does. In this sense, the inability to acknowledge the divisive date of January 26 is proof of that disconnect between Indigenous and some non-Indigenous Australians. A new social media site has enabled industry-first technology that makes content impossible for creeps to screenshot and screen record. 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More importantly, the reaction (in France, Europe and elsewhere) to the massacres in Paris have proved beyond doubt the resilience and determination of the majority of ordinary citizens not to allow terror to rule the world. For lack of a bin they throw it on the ground. In addition to simply eliminating the costs and hassles of managing currency, going cashless may also reduce certain types of crime. Why some Australians want to move their controversial national day. I believe she is wrong, because, quite simply, no other date better reflects both the origins of the country and the nation it has become. Australian Catholic University provides funding as a member of The Conversation AU. Some students, even as old as eighth-graders, suffer from post-lunch attention deficit syndrome and . The truth-telling all Australians need to hear. For anyone who has had an awkward conversation with an older relative at a family barbecue, that's probably not so hard to believe. 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. Those figures have grown in recent years, suggesting, as a nation, we are becoming more prepared to face the brutal colonial legacy of this country. The Australian community has charged us with progressing the issue. On average, annual vet expenses alone are estimated to cost close to $400 for dogs and around $270 for cats - and that's before you factor in medications, surgery and emergency treatment. The events of the past two weeks in France have, quite rightly, horrified and appalled. Works Cited: Electronic Sources. People have to inform themselves about politics. To the shifting Day length during summer may indeed help to save energy Phillip arrived at Sydney Cove raised. It can never be detached from the past, from an event that started systematic oppression an... 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