A SPECIAL day should be set aside to recognise Indigenous Australians, but the day should not replace Australia Day, Prime Minister Scott Morrison says.
The call has come after Byron Shire Council on the NSW north coast was stripped of its right to hold citizenship ceremonies after it refused to hold them on the national holiday.
Speaking on national television on Tuesday morning, Mr Morrison said it was the responsibility of the Federal Government to ensure these ceremonies were run on this day and that Australia Day continued to be held.
“Thats the day that Australia changed forever and we cant just pretend that didnt happen,” he said.
“Youve got a whole bunch of people trying to tear down Australia Day.”
While Mr Morrison said he believed a new day should be held to recognise and celebrate Indigenous Australians, he would not be drawn on which date this should occur.
“Ive got some private thoughts, but Im more interested to hear what other Australians think,” he said.
“Itd be good to have a chat about it, we dont have to pull Australia Day down to recognise the achievements [of Indigenous people].”
Mr Morrison said he wanted to bring Australians together not tear them apart, and said that Australia Day and a new day for Indigenous Australians could co-exist.
“We should celebrate what theyve [Indigenous Australians] been able to achieve over 60,000 years plus but particularity in modern Australia,” he said.
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Nyngan Observer
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