Australia Day

Australia Day is marked by civic celebrations around the country, including Order of Australia awards for outstanding achievement.

However, Australia Day arouses indifference in many people and dislike in others. Many not from Sydney regard the day as too Sydney-centric; many Australian Aboriginals term it "Invasion Day" and regard it as celebrating their subjugation. Some have suggested making ANZAC Day Australia's national day, or changing to January 1, commemorating January 1, 1901 when Australia's six colonies federated into one nation. Each of the alternatives raised also pose problems (ANZAC Day because many war veterans believe that it is their day, also that it is also a New Zealand national holiday, while January 1 is also a public holiday in the middle of the Christmas holiday season).

However, it is unlikely to be resolved until the issue of Australian republicanism is definitively resolved - if a change to Australia's form of government occurs it has been suggested that the date of the changeover should become the national civic holiday.