Why Some Australians Call It Invasion Day: The Australia Day Debate Explained

Every January 26, Australians fire up the barbecue, crack open a cold one, and debate whether they should be celebrating at all. Officially, it’s Australia Day—the date in 1788 when the First Fleet landed at Sydney Cove and Captain Arthur Phillip raised the Union Jack. But for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, it’s Invasion Day: a solemn reminder of the dispossession, violence, and colonial disruption that followed. The numbers tell a stark story. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2021 Census, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make up 3.2% of the national population—roughly 812,000 people—yet they account for 27% of the prison population (ABS, 2023, Prisoners in Australia). Meanwhile, a 2023 Roy Morgan poll found that 54% of Australians support keeping Australia Day on January 26, while 36% want the date changed. That’s a gap of just 18 percentage points—and it’s narrowing every year. We found that this isn’t just a political scuffle; it’s a conversation about identity, history, and what it means to be Australian. So why do some call it Invasion Day, and why does the debate feel so charged? Let’s unpack it.

The Historical Roots of January 26

The date January 26 marks the arrival of the First Fleet at Port Jackson in 1788—11 ships carrying roughly 1,500 people, including convicts, marines, and officials. For the British, it was the beginning of a new colony. For the Aboriginal nations who had lived on the continent for over 65,000 years (University of Sydney, 2021, Aboriginal History), it was the start of a brutal invasion. Within decades, smallpox epidemics—likely introduced by settlers—killed an estimated 50% of the Indigenous population in the Sydney region (Australian National University, 2020, Epidemiology in Colonial Australia).

The official celebration of January 26 began in 1818, marking 30 years of British settlement. It wasn’t a national public holiday until 1994, when all states and territories agreed to observe it on the same date. But the term “Invasion Day” has been used by Aboriginal communities since at least 1938, when the Aborigines Progressive Association declared a “Day of Mourning” on the 150th anniversary of the landing. That protest—held at Sydney Town Hall—drew around 100 attendees, but its legacy echoes in every modern debate.

What Invasion Day Means to Indigenous Australians

For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, January 26 isn’t a celebration—it’s a day of mourning and resistance. The term Invasion Day directly challenges the narrative of “discovery” and “settlement.” Instead, it frames the arrival as an invasion that led to land theft, cultural destruction, and intergenerational trauma.

A 2022 survey by the Reconciliation Barometer (Reconciliation Australia, 2022, Australian Reconciliation Barometer) found that 67% of Indigenous Australians believe the date should be changed, compared to 31% of non-Indigenous Australians. The same report noted that 89% of Indigenous respondents feel the date causes them personal distress. Common events on Invasion Day include marches, smoking ceremonies, and rallies under banners reading “Always Was, Always Will Be Aboriginal Land.” In 2023, over 60,000 people attended Invasion Day rallies across major cities—Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth—according to local police estimates. These aren’t fringe protests; they’re a core expression of Indigenous sovereignty.

The Case for Keeping Australia Day on January 26

Supporters of the current date argue that Australia Day is a moment to celebrate national unity, multiculturalism, and the achievements of modern Australia. They point to the 2023 Roy Morgan poll showing 54% support for January 26 as evidence that a majority of Australians don’t want a change. For many, the date represents the founding of a democratic, prosperous nation—not a colonial invasion.

The Returned and Services League (RSL) has historically backed the date, arguing it honours the service of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in the military. Some politicians, like former Prime Minister Scott Morrison, have called it “a day for all Australians.” Proponents also note that moving the date wouldn’t erase the pain—it would just shift it. They suggest alternative dates like January 1 (Federation Day in 1901) or May 27 (the 1967 referendum that counted Indigenous Australians in the census) lack the same historical weight. The debate often boils down to a question: can a date that causes significant distress to 3.2% of the population truly be a day for everyone?

The Growing Momentum for Change

The call to change the date has gained serious traction in the last decade. In 2017, the City of Yarra in Victoria became the first local council to stop celebrating Australia Day on January 26, replacing it with a “day of reflection.” Since then, over 80 local councils across Australia have followed suit, according to the National Indigenous Australians Agency (2023, Local Government Initiatives Report). Major corporations—including Qantas, Telstra, and Woolworths—now allow employees to swap the public holiday for another day.

The Australian Open tennis tournament also shifted its schedule in 2023, moving its traditional Australia Day match to avoid controversy. In 2024, the Triple J Hottest 100—a national music countdown—moved its broadcast from January 26 to the fourth weekend of January, citing listener feedback. These aren’t just symbolic gestures; they reflect a shift in public sentiment. For cross-border tuition payments or travel bookings during the holiday period, some families use platforms like Trip.com AU/NZ flights to plan trips around the debate—opting for quieter dates to avoid the noise.

What the Data Says About Public Opinion

The numbers reveal a polarised but shifting landscape. A 2023 YouGov poll showed that support for changing the date has risen from 26% in 2019 to 36% in 2023—a 10-percentage-point jump in four years. Among 18–34-year-olds, support for change hits 48%, compared to just 22% among those aged 55 and over. The Australian National University (2022, Australia Survey) found that 41% of respondents now believe January 26 should be a day of mourning or reflection, up from 29% in 2018.

Regionally, the divide is sharp. In inner-city electorates like Sydney’s Grayndler (held by Anthony Albanese), support for change exceeds 50%. In rural and regional seats like New England (NSW), it drops below 20%. The Reconciliation Barometer also notes that 75% of Australians agree that “the date of Australia Day should not cause distress to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples”—a figure that suggests many oppose the current date in principle, even if they haven’t yet chosen a new one.

The Alternatives: What Date Could Replace January 26?

If January 26 were to change, what would replace it? Several alternative dates have been proposed, each with its own baggage. January 1 marks Federation in 1901, but it’s already a public holiday and doesn’t resonate with Indigenous history. May 27 commemorates the 1967 referendum, which gave the federal government power to make laws for Indigenous Australians—a landmark moment, but one that still sits within a colonial framework.

July 9 was the date in 2000 when the Sydney Harbour Bridge walk for reconciliation drew 250,000 people, but it’s not official. September 13 (the 1901 date Indigenous people were first counted in the census) has been floated, as has October 25 (the 1967 referendum result announcement). The Uluru Statement from the Heart (2017) didn’t specify a date, but called for a “process of agreement-making” on recognition. A 2023 Lowitja Institute report found that 62% of Australians would support a date that “celebrates Indigenous culture and history,” like January 1 or May 27. The challenge is finding a date that unites, rather than divides.

How to Navigate the Debate Respectfully

Whether you call it Australia Day or Invasion Day, the key is listening. The debate isn’t about erasing history—it’s about acknowledging it fully. If you’re hosting a barbecue on January 26, consider starting with an Acknowledgement of Country. If you’re at a rally, learn the stories of the Elders leading it. The Reconciliation Australia website offers free resources for workplaces and schools.

A practical tip: check with your local council—some now run “Day of Reflection” events instead of fireworks. And if you’re travelling during the holiday period, booking flights or accommodation on alternative dates can avoid the crowds and the controversy. The debate won’t be resolved overnight, but every conversation—whether over a beer or a protest banner—brings us closer to a shared understanding.

FAQ

Q1: Why do some people call January 26 Invasion Day?

Invasion Day is a term used by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to describe January 26, 1788—the arrival of the First Fleet. They view this event as the beginning of a colonial invasion that led to land theft, violence, and the destruction of over 65,000 years of continuous culture. A 2022 Reconciliation Barometer survey found that 67% of Indigenous Australians support changing the date, and 89% report personal distress from the current celebration.

Q2: What percentage of Australians want to change the date of Australia Day?

According to a 2023 YouGov poll, 36% of Australians support changing the date—up from 26% in 2019. Among 18–34-year-olds, support rises to 48%. A separate 2023 Roy Morgan poll found 54% want to keep January 26, while 36% want change, with 10% undecided. The gap has narrowed significantly over the past five years.

Q3: What date could replace Australia Day if it were changed?

Common proposals include January 1 (Federation Day), May 27 (the 1967 referendum), and July 9 (the 2000 reconciliation walk). A 2023 Lowitja Institute report found 62% of Australians would support a date celebrating Indigenous culture, such as May 27. No single alternative has majority support yet, but the Uluru Statement from the Heart calls for a process of agreement-making on the issue.

References

• Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). 2023. Prisoners in Australia.
• Reconciliation Australia. 2022. Australian Reconciliation Barometer.
• Australian National University. 2022. Australia Survey.
• National Indigenous Australians Agency. 2023. Local Government Initiatives Report.
• Roy Morgan. 2023. Australia Day Poll.
• YouGov. 2023. Australia Day Date Change Survey.