Poll reveals majority of Australians want long weekend, not January 26 holiday
A new poll has found the majority of Australians want a guarantee of a long weekend to celebrate Australia Day, rather than January 26; The country is preparing to celebrate this weekend.
The debate over canceling January 26 every year flares up as First Nations people protest replacing the date with a Day of Mourning that symbolizes occupation and dispossession.
A new national YouGov poll, commissioned by Future Super on behalf of Clothing The Gaps and the Australian Long Weekend campaign, says Australians want a bank holiday on the second and last Monday of January (January 18-24), creating a fixed summer weekend.
“These survey results show Australians are ready and supportive of changing history,” said Laura Thompson, CEO and co-founder of Clothing The Gaps.
Ms Thompson, a Gunditjmara woman, says a long weekend in Australia offers a practical solution by moving away from January 26, the Day of Mourning for First Nations, while also allowing for an inclusive and respectful national celebration.
Support was strongest in the 18-24 age category, with 70 per cent polling for a flat Australian long weekend on 26 January.
WA led the country, with 57 per cent supporting the long weekend to celebrate Australia Day.
NSW, Victoria and QLD showed strong majority support, with more than 50 per cent voting to change the date and create a fixed long weekend.
“Australians are fed up with the division surrounding January 26, and when presented with a practical, common-sense alternative like the Australian Long Weekend, the majority of Australians are ready to move forward,” he said.
Voters showed majority support in all parts of Australia, with 55 per cent in the inner metropolitan, 55 per cent in the outer metropolitan, 54 per cent in state cities and towns and 54 per cent in rural Australia.
Phil Jenkyn, co-organiser of the Australian Long Weekend, said this option was “about finding a solution that works”.
“The Australia Long Weekend is a practical and common sense way to move forward without continuing the damage caused by 26 January,” Mr Jenkyn said.
“The results reflect the state of the nation; a majority is looking for a way to honor a national celebration without division over January 26,” he said.
