John Williams (NSW, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) in 1946, the Commonwealth and state governments agreed that 26 January each year would be celebrated as Australia Day,

  (ii) each year on 26 January numerous Australians are honoured with national and local awards,

  (iii) award ceremonies in towns and villages across the nation on 26 January are preceded by a Welcome to Country which acknowledges the traditional owners of the land,

  (iv) a national poll of 1,156 people has found that the majority 68 per cent felt positive about Australia Day, and just 15 per cent would prefer Australia Day on another date,

  (v) on 26 January this year a number of protest marches were conducted which were organised by a group with links to the Greens and unions,

  (vi) at the Sydney march, an Australian flag was set alight which led to a violent confrontation between police and protestors,

  (vii) Australian Greens Senator Rhiannon herself acknowledged in a news report of 27 January 2017, that the Greens are radical and anti-establishment and she would like more people to see them that way;

(b) condemns any attempt to burn or otherwise desecrate the Australian flag; and

(c) confirms that Australia Day will continue to be celebrated on 26 January each year.