Cricket Australia and Tennis Australia, the peak sporting bodies for their respective sports, have decided against celebrating Australia Day, as public debate about the national day escalates.
Celebrated on Jan. 26, Australia Day coincides with the second day of the cricket Test match between Australia and the West Indies in Brisbane, as well as the semi-final matches for the Australian Open.
In response, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has called on both organisations to revisit their decisions.
Mr. Minns said it was a day for everyone to celebrate with friends and family what it meant to live in the “greatest country on Earth.”
“Both cricket and tennis should revisit this decision … This is a day that we need to come together as a nation for,” he told 2GB radio on Jan. 22.
He added that calls to change the date of Australia Day were “strange” and that there were no plans to change the event.
“The idea that you would take a national day away from any country, particularly Australia, is a strange one,” he said.
Cricket Australia will reportedly hold a Welcome to Country ceremony on the first day of the Test match, the day before Australia Day. On Jan. 26, the announcer will acknowledge that “the day” had different meanings for different people, and would also avoid using the term “Australia Day” during the event.
The decision came after consultations with NATSICAC, cricket’s Indigenous advisory body, and criticism from cricketer Ashleigh Gardner on holding the Test games on Australia Day, which she dubbed a “day of mourning.”
Meanwhile, it will be the second year in a row that organisers for the Australian Open decide not to mark the national holiday.
When announcing the decision in 2023, Tennis Australia said they were “mindful” of differing views.
“At the Australian Open we are inclusive and respectful of all,” they said.
‘Stop Looking for Outrage’: PM
When Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was asked to weigh in on the issue, he said Australians needed to “stop looking for areas in which we can be outraged.”“I think it’s an important day for Australia and I certainly will be participating in all the events.”
He highlighted that the citizenship ceremonies held on Australia Day were very important.
“They‘ll take place around Australia, people pledging their allegiance to Australia as a nation, to our values, and our democratic traditions. That is really important,” he said. “And so for me, I’ll attend the national celebrations here, I'll then be attending the Australia Day concert later in Sydney.”
The sporting bodies’ decision comes amid increasing debate around the national day celebration.
