What’s happening?
The Member for Bowman, Henry Pike, has spoken out against a $1.5 million research grant examining Australia Day and reconciliation.
The funding was approved by the Australian Research Council and awarded to the Australian National University over four years.
The project is titled Change the Date, Australia Day Reconciliation and the Politics of Division and lists expected outcomes such as educational resources, inclusive governance models, and strengthened disciplinary collaborations.
Mr Pike said the funding did not reflect community priorities, calling it “a massive waste of taxpayers’ funds”.
Why it matters
Australia Day remains one of the most debated national issues.
Mr Pike argues the discussion has been driven by academics and politicians, rather than public opinion.
He said Australians want certainty around their national day and do not support public money being spent on research aimed at changing it.
“I don’t know what strengthened disciplinary collaborations are supposed to mean,” he said.
Local impact
Mr Pike said feedback from constituents in Bowman has been clear.
He said residents do not want federal funds used on projects that question the date of Australia Day.
“When I speak to my constituents, they’re not wanting the federal government to spend $1.5 million to achieve it,” he said.
By the numbers
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$1.5 million has been allocated to the study through the Australian Research Council over four years.
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Four years is the planned length of the Australia Day research project at Australian National University.
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More than 57,000 Australians have joined Mr Pike’s Australia Day campaign since it began in 2023.
Zoom in
Mr Pike rejected claims that changing the date would better reflect public sentiment.
“The truth is that the overwhelming majority of Australians support celebrating Australia Day on January 26,” he said.
He also criticised what he described as ongoing political debate around the day.
“Australians are tired of their national day being used as a political plaything,” he said.
Zoom out
The debate around Australia Day has led to councils and companies altering ceremonies and workplace events in recent years.
Mr Pike says his campaign has pushed some councils and corporations to reverse decisions to move away from January 26.
He also said the campaign forced national attention on the issue, including public statements from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese supporting Australia Day.
What to look for next?
Mr Pike has reintroduced his Australia Day Bill in the new Parliament.
The bill aims to give January 26 legislative protection, similar to protections for the national flag and Anzac Day.
Supporters are being encouraged to back the legislation by signing a petition through this website.
