Union calls for Australia Day to be moved
A powerful trade union organisation has said Australia Day should be moved because it ‘reinforces structural racism’.
The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) in a submission to the Federal inquiry into racism, hate and violence towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, said it was time to revisit the relevance of Australia Day on January 26.
“Celebrating Australia Day on 26 January reinforces structural racism by normalising a national narrative that excludes and harms Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,’ the council said in its submission last week.
Three options
The ACTU, led by Sally McManus, pictured, also called for a representative voice for Aboriginal people, even though the Voice to Parliament referendum in 2023 failed.
The union suggested it could be introduced in one of three ways: by a constitutionally enshrined voice, a legislated advisory body, or a treaty-negotiating assembly, similar to Victoria.
“Systemic racism – embedded in law, policy and service delivery – cannot be dismantled without truth-telling, structural accountability, and self-determination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,’ the submission said.
No second vote
“This worsening trajectory is directly connected to the absence of a permanent, empowered voice in the institutions that make the laws.’
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said there will be no second referendum, saying he would “respect the outcome”.
But last month during National Reconciliation Week the PM said there was still ‘a long way to go’ in addressing inequalities faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
“It’s not a straight journey, as progress never is. But I assure you that we’ll continue to walk with you,” he said.
