Growing up as a White Australian I've been learning more about the history behind Australia Day and our flag, and it's made me reflect a lot. I never realised Jan 26 feels painful for many First Nations people because of what that date represents. It doesn’t feel like a day everyone can celebrate together.

Australia Day, observed on January 26, marks the arrival of the First Fleet at Port Jackson in New South Wales in 1788. However, for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, this date signifies the beginning of an era of hardship, dispossession, and violence. As more Australians become aware of this painful history, the call for change is growing. It is hard to unite a nation when the celebration excludes such a significant portion of its people.

I recently discovered May 27, the anniversary of the 1967 referendum. This referendum was a defining moment in Australian history when the nation voted overwhelmingly to amend the constitution to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the census and allow the federal government to make laws for them. This was a moment of progress and unity, reflecting fairness and inclusion.

Changing the national day to May 27 would not only acknowledge and respect the experience of First Nations people but also offer an opportunity to celebrate a united Australia—a day all Australians can embrace freely. It symbolizes the positive step towards reconciliation that our country has taken and can inspire us for the future.

Let's work towards a national celebration that embodies unity, inclusiveness, and shared pride. By moving Australia Day to May 27, we can ensure it becomes a day that champions the values Australia stands for today—values of fairness, respect, and togetherness.

Join me in urging our leaders to make this meaningful change. Sign this petition to call on the government to re-evaluate the celebration of our national day and consider shifting Australia Day to May 27.