An Indigenous model has spoken out about why she wants the date of Australia Day changed.
Former Bachelor star and Wiradjuri woman Kiki Morris appeared on the ABC on Sunday to discuss whether it’s appropriate to celebrate Australia Day on January 26.
The date marks when the First Fleet arrived in Sydney in 1788. Supporters of Australia Day believe it marks the beginning of modern Australia while critics see it as the beginning of Indigenous peoples’ oppression under colonisation.
Ms Morris is in favour of changing the date of the national holiday.
‘I think that Australia is such a wonderful country and it’s offered a safe space for so many people to live and bring up their families,’ she said.
‘For those people, we deserve to celebrate what Australia means to all of us but definitely the date needs to be changed.
‘We need to be sensitive to our ancestors and our history as well.’
Ms Morris further discussed her thoughts on social media, acknowledging ‘this important topic that for some of us is a more emotional decision than others, but nonetheless impactful for our collective history’.
Wiradjuri woman Kiki Morris (pictured) called for Australia Day to be changed to a date everyone can celebrate
She also thanked the ABC for allowing her to share her opinion.
‘I was deeply honoured to be given this platform,’ Ms Morris said.
‘I truly consider this a life and career highlight and biggest achievement to speak on such an important cultural and political topics.
‘I hope this starts a change for what could be the real day of celebration of ALL Australians.’
There’s been increasing calls for Australia Day to be moved to another date or recognised as Invasion Day in recent years.
Several major companies and organisations have chosen to ignore the holiday, such as Woolworths last year.
At least 81 councils across Australia will not host Australia Day citizenship ceremonies this year, ostensibly for ideological reasons while also giving themselves the day off.
It marks a sharp jump from just four councils who refused last year.
There’s been increasing calls for Australia Day to be moved to another date or recognised as Invasion Day
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in 2022 allowed councils to cancel citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day, a policy the Opposition has promised to change if elected this year.
Yet, 69 per cent of respondents to recent polling agreed with keeping the date of Australia Day on January 26.
Commenters under Ms Morris’ post were largely supportive of moving the date to one all Australians can celebrate.
‘As an Aussie, I wouldn’t care if the date changed. We still want to celebrate Australia Day but not at the expense of hurting our native people,’ one wrote.
‘No one is free until all our Indigenous people are free and respected on all fronts. This is how we create change,’ a second added.
‘Beautifully said. Change the date to one that we can all celebrate together,’ a third wrote.
‘Changing the date should not be such a big deal. It clearly is an issue for Indigenous people. Change the date, grab a beer and let’s move on from this together,’ another said.
