The Proposal

The proposal is to move the date of Australia Day from 26 January to the second last Monday in January. This will create the Australia Long Weekend – a three-day festival of Australia from Saturday to Monday every year about two thirds of the way through January.

Why Make The Change

Most Australians want to celebrate being an Australian and our nation. We want everyone to feel welcomed and respected. 

January 26 is a date which marks the beginning of British settlement, but also the dispossession of Australia’s Indigenous peoples with devastating consequences. 

There is an ever-increasing number of Australians who feel that the present date is no longer appropriate and are seeking a different date and time that will be widely supported. 

The proposed Australia Long Weekend will always pre-date 26 January. Australia Day will be celebrated on the Monday with the date varying between 18 and 24 January. 

We all need to come together to celebrate our shared history and values – First Peoples’ long history and culture, British democratic traditions and institutions and our vibrant multicultural society.

The Long Weekend will retain many of the established ceremonies and events and will encourage much more. It will be inclusive, allow time for reflection and relaxation, and time to consider how we can do better.

And, it is also really well positioned in January when considering holidays, school and work.

It's a small change with significant meaning.

Call to Action

We the citizens of Australia by signing this Petition show our strong support for the Proposal to celebrate our nation over the Australia Long Weekend, every year on the second last long weekend in January.

We seek the support of all and will spread the word to family and friends, to community groups, to businesses large and small and to our elected representatives at every level of government.

In doing so we will be respectful and inclusive of all our citizens across this great land.

We respectfully call upon all citizens to put aside division, come together for the common good and back this Proposal.

Let’s make this happen – and happen NOW!

For more information, see Australia Long Weekend website https://www.australialongweekend.com.au