This is also in relation to section 116 of the constitution of Australia, which states that the Commonwealth cannot make laws about observance to any religion in the governmental affairs in the country. Every year in Australia, once the New Year festivities are behind us, the same debate mounts in the press, on social media, and around dinner tables. That eventmight be a long way in the past. In an effort to attract and retain workers, many businesses are considering making changes to the standard workweek and moving to a 4-day . These are the actions of barbarians. 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. The date of Australia Day should be changed. Whereas all the other cities in Australia are extending and thriving on their night-time public transport services, you are economising. 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. If we wanted to make the whole thing more Australian, we could celebrate the day the Constitution passed the Australian Parliament. Climate and Nature. It feels like a moment to pause and acknowledge what we have. Better sleep: Delayed start time could help teens sleep during their natural sleep/wake cycles. Economy, education, and health are all at a high level. Services Australia can pay these 28 days over . Why we need to change the date of Australia Day. Charlie Hebdo is a wrecking ball, in this respect, rather than a builder. 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. Attention Deficit and Fatigue. 6 important facts every Australian should know about January 26. Benefits of Change Management. In that case, your Disability Support Pension stops until you return. If we look at what appears to be an emerging generational divide, the conversation may eventually change and with it the way we mark the day. Longer school days could result in attention deficit and fatigue, making the extra class time ineffective. From this day, on 1788 onwards our people have suffered massacres, land theft, stolen children and oppression (which) colonisation forced upon us, Mr Dawe explains. Did you encounter any technical issues? Why some Australians want to move their controversial national day. The Australian flag was chosen in 1901, when a competition was held to design our country's flag. 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? Why do I not see them upset by the injustices committed by Aboriginal people against other Aboriginal people today? Discovery Company. 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. Students attend school for 45 days, or about nine weeks, then take off for three weeks, or 15 school days. 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. 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. Because as it stands, that community is being ignored, that community is being told their history isn't as important as white history, that their pain isn't as important as other Australians having a particular date off work. However, I question the motives and sincerity of those claiming to be upset because of injustices committed in the past by what boils down to what one set of my ancestors did to another set of my ancestors. 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. One study found that the risk of a heart attack increases 10% the Monday and Tuesday following the spring time change. It has rainforests, deserts, mountains, and beaches, among other sceneries. All times AEDT (GMT +11). A reading of Noel Pearson's eulogy for Gough Whitlam will reveal how our indigenous people were dispossessed as their land was seized under the falsehood of terra nullius and they were forced into Aboriginal reserves under the control of supervisors with vast powers. Australia has excellent weather with 300 days of sunshine and temperates never dipping below 10C. Labor set a superannuation trap and Dutton immediatelytook the bait, Here's what the super tax changes might mean for you, NT Labor candidate confirms involvement in fatal car crash that led to conviction of driving without due care, Freya is one of 15,000 Australians who must soon find a new life-saving medication or pay a much higher price, Perrottet's brother resurfaces, refuses to take part in council inquiry, 'We are not the same, that's why you do not understand': An interview with a mother accused of a terrible crime, Man who murdered Jay Brogden convicted of contempt of court, Live: Australia looks to press home its advantage with the bat on day two against India, Well-known Tasmanian wine brand to be bottled interstate, Derryn Hinch urges supporters to 'maintain the rage' as he calls time on political party. Are there bigger issues than changing the date? Stick with a simple "Hello/Hi" and "How are you?" There are not many topics that are taboo or off limits in Australia. Daylight Saving Time (DST) has been used for more than 100 years. The success and smooth functioning of the Nightrider services this Christmas demonstrates how in-demand such services could be on a regular basis, not only supporting growth in the local nightlife, but also civilians who work later. Though the COVID-19 vaccine is unique in both its type and speed of release, a look at influenza vaccine policies can be instructive. One West Australian mayor said that telling new citizens what they could or couldnt wear to their ceremonies wasnt fair dinkum, and he wouldnt be enforcing dress codes. Studies link the lack of sleep at the start of DST to, The early evening darkness after the end of the DST period is linked to, Studies have found that DST contributes to, The City of New York invested 1.5 million US dollars in a. Australians can find their human rights that are protected in the Constitution, in common law, anti-discrimination laws and other State and Federal legislation. Less caffeine: Teens may be less likely to depend on caffeine to stay awake during the day. Too many people forget that a tent is not a wall. Published 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. That cant be dismissed as black armband history as if that was merely an opinion. 'An unthinkable tragedy': How did this train crash happen? In doing so, he founded the colony of New South Wales and, at the same time, commenced the dispossession and marginalization of Indigenous people. You may see it as tokenism, but to many, it's a signal of that understanding, of a willingness to move forward together as a unified country. But decisions made by elected governments - especially in areas such as education, health and energy - impact young people too. These days the places are overrun with TV sets, stereos, fridges and all sorts of other noise-making devices. In doing so, he hopes to instil strength, hope, love, family and culture back into their lives and break the cycle. CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Australia is no longer a country that acts as part of the British Empire. We heard this from our Prime Minister just days ago: "Australia Day is about how far we've come," Scott Morrison said. Helps recruitment: Offering potential and existing employees a flexible working pattern will help attract and retain talented professionals. Essentially, terrorist shooters and bombers are willing to be killed because their religions tell them that if they do the right thing then there is a wonderful life awaiting them after death analogous to the wishful thinking of cargo cultists. There is no excuse for the attack on Charlie Hedbo. 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. Aurukun. Sure, not everythings perfect in contemporary Australia; and its possible that Aboriginal life could have continued for some time without modernity bursting upon it, had governor Arthur Phillip not raised the Union flag and toasted the king on January 26, 1788, but its hard to imagine a better Australia in the absence of the Western civilization that began here from that date. Personally, if I want all mod cons I stay at home. (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.. For most people, the resulting tiredness is simply an inconvenience. The Pros And Cons Of Australia Being A Republic Around Australia Day, There's A Lot Of Controversies. If you just have a look its not Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people only, its also the majority are Australians. Not until 1935 did all the Australian states and territories use that name to mark that date. Far from playing into the hands of the terrorists by irresponsibly encouraging fear of Islam, the media and other commentators should follow Tony Abbott's example in this. According to the Australia Day website: "The tradition of having Australia Day as a national holiday on 26 January is a recent one. Your decision last year to cut back on route timetables, notably throwing out more than two hours of the Route 4 itinerary, from 11.10pm to the now feeble 9.05pm was, and still is, a total farce and you should be ashamed of your presumption. Environmental Degradation 2. On Sunday 3 September 1939, Prime Minister Robert Menzies declared to the nation that Australia was at war with Germany. If the Australian Republic Movement has its way, they want the parliaments at different levels to nominate the most eligible and capable Australians. Today, the amount of energy saved from DST is negligible. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander activist Calma said he felt the conservative Morrison government was rushing to make changes to Australia Day before it likely loses power at a national election due to take place before May. Lecturer, Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University. Referring to the cartoons published in Charlie Hebdo, Marguerite Castello asks how might we react to cartoons depicting Christians in a similarly offensive manner (CT, January 13). I dont want Australia Day undermined in the future and just see it sort of fade away, Morrison said. Though traditionally it had religious significance (and still does for some), for many people there is no religious meaning. 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. So, should we buckle up for another three decades of wearying debate? This is not the same as Australia. 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? 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. 6:44 PM EST, Fri January 25, 2019. A small number of local councils have already tried moving the celebration which is also the date new citizens receive their Australian citizenship from January 26, out of respect for the wishes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Christianity's history of brutality, conducted in the name of a man of peace, is longer than and as nasty as Islam's but this is never mentioned. By Amy Pearson. The most recent statistics reveal that the extension of DST saved . All times AEDT (GMT +11). ", Or as one Torres Strait Islander elder said: "I don't need one day to celebrate, I am always celebrating my culture and customs, I celebrate being the First Australian every day.". Abso-bloody-lutely! The major religions have always treated human time on Earth as a mere preparation for later when, in reality, it is highly likely that this is all there is just as for the ants and we should think and act accordingly. Australian law allows creditors to force you into bankruptcy. Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison watches day seven of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 20. Your digital subscription includes access to content from all our websites in your region. Why do many countries set the clocks back and forth an hour twice a year? Not everyone sees it as a reason to celebrate. This was in spite of the fact that its estimated more than 500 First Nations groups had already inhabited the continent, with the total believed to be about 750,000 people. Insert. Of course, no place is perfect. 11:26 PM EST, Thu January 25, 2018. More sleep: Teens may be more likely to get the recommended amount of sleep. A Warner Bros. Bruce Woodley's Iconic Song 'I Am Australian' 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). By presuming not only that all Canberrans work 9-5 but also that Canberra is a city where good civilians are expected to be docilely tucked up in bed by 11pm, you are both perpetuating the negative reputation of Canberra as an inaccessible and dry city, undeserving of the title of capital, and refusing to extend public transport courtesies to those outside of a very particular working class. 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. I respect peoples right to mourn and even to claim that Australia Day celebrations are causing them grief, insult, and suffering. Anthony Dillon receives funding from the Australian Research Council. The gist of my letter (January9) calling for a re-think of public holidays was that replacing four mandated days off with five extra days of annual leave might just benefit everyone. As the children of the digital age grow up, and take public office, run corporations and make decisions for our country, maybe the pendulum of this debate will start to swing. Most of them have been read as 'implied rights' by the High Court. There's a lot of polling done on attitudes towards Australia Day, and the results vary depending on whose views are being canvassed. 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. 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. They didnt. If we 'move forward' without acknowledging that legacy, we'd only continue to leave some people behind. 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 2015 report by the Brookings Institut ion found that, on the first day of DST, robbery rates fall by an average of 7 percent. 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. January 26 is Australia Day - our Australia Day. Given a significant number of people see only a day off rather than a national day, the figures are significant. This used to be the greatest country on Earth, but weve lost the plot.. Their strategy is to engineer and profit from hostility between Muslims and non-Muslims and between different sects of Islam. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work. . In the process the ALP the Greens chief political competitor has to respond to its own supporters who are sympathetic to the change argument and the backing from indigenous figures. All right, but apart from the sanitation, the medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, a fresh water system, and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us? asks the John Cleese character in the classic filmLife of Brian. It had not maintained substantial armed forces during the years of peace. It's getting harder and harder to find peace and quiet anywhere. Its worth asking the same question of the British settlement of Australia at the same time as we acknowledge the dispossession of the original inhabitants. It's a reckoning other colonised countries are having, too. So, someone working a four-day week would be entitled to: 4 days x 5.6 weeks = 22.4 days. For starters, if public servants are to be restricted to around 1.5per cent salary increases, is it fair to assume that the Remuneration Tribunal will follow suit with salaries of our political masters and not fiddle with allowances to muddy the waters? Proponents of DST argue that longer evenings motivate people to get out of the house. Climate change pros and cons. 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. K-12. Many Australians refer to January 26 as Invasion Day.. But by having that celebration on January 26, we're tying it to British settlement and positioning that invasion (in Reconciliation Australia's words) as "the primary source of Australian identity and pride.". For us, thats a real true sign of reconciliation.. In this article the truth is January 26 should be first fleet day, not Australia day by Smith in the. The rule of law, equality of the sexes, scientific curiosity, technological progress, responsible government plus the constant self-criticism and lust for improvement that makes us so self-conscious of our collective failings towards Aboriginal people all date from then; and may not have been present to anything like the same extent had the settlers fanning out from Sydney Cove been other than British. We shouldnt invest too much glory in the First Fleets intentions and what it delivered. We know that truth and honesty is the first form of healing, he says, adding that this must be a joint operation between Indigenous, non-Indigenous Australians and broader society. appreciated. That way, DST may counteract the sedentary lifestyle of modern living. 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