Dear Supporters,

We set a goal of 100,000 signatures, and together we've passed it. Over 108,000 of you have now signed this petition. This is a huge milestone, and a powerful reminder that Australians from every corner of this country are ready to recognise that January 26 is not a date for national celebration. Thank you for standing with us.

But we need to keep this momentum going. Signatures alone won't shift this, and right now there's a rare opportunity to put the why on the public record.

The federal Parliament is holding an inquiry into racism, hate and violence directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and they want to hear from you. The Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs is calling for submissions from First Nations people who have experienced racism, hate or violence. Non-Indigenous people who have  witnessed racism against First Nations people are also welcome to contribute.

Parliamentary inquiries produce formal recommendations that governments must respond to. If the committee hears, on the record, that January 26 intensifies the racism, hate and ideologically motivated violence directed at First Nations people, that evidence strengthens the argument this petition has already made 108,000 times over.

Every submission that names January 26 as a source of racism, hate and violence builds the case for change and makes it harder for government to keep the holiday where it is.

This year, that case became tragically clear. On 26 January 2026, a homemade bomb was thrown into a crowd of around 2,000 people gathered peacefully at the Boorloo (Perth) Invasion Day rally. Elders, children and babies were among them. The device, packed with ball bearings and screws, failed to detonate. A man has since been charged with a terrorist act. It is the first time in Australian history a terror charge has been laid in relation to an attack on First Nations people.

That's the extreme end of what January 26 concentrates every year, alongside the everyday abuse, intimidation, and exhaustion First Nations people, and those who stand with them, absorb around this date. Moving the national celebration away from January 26 won't end racism. But it will stop this harm being repeated, year after year, in the name of a national celebration.

That's why your submission matters. The more voices on the record, the harder it becomes for politicians to dismiss this as a "culture war" distraction rather than something causing real harm. We want a national holiday that unites us, not one that divides the country every year.

Don't stress about the format. Submissions can be written, video, audio, photos or artwork. There's no set format. Just share facts, opinions or recommendations in whatever way feels right.

What you need to know:

• Deadline: 1 May 2026
• Who can submit: Individuals and organisations. First Nations people and non-Indigenous people
• How to submit: Lodge your submission on inquiry website page. 
• Details and Terms of Reference: Read the full Terms of Reference
• Confidentiality: You can request your name or submission be kept private

Please share this with your networks. 108,000 signatures got the Prime Minister's attention. Submissions make it impossible for his government to look away.

If this feels heavy, please look after yourself. 13YARN (13 92 76) for Mob, Lifeline (13 11 14) for everyone.

Yours in the struggle, 

CTG Fam x