Labor calls for Queen’s Birthday public holiday to be renamed to honour Aboriginals

Labor has stated its intention to scrap the Queen’s Birthday public holiday in favour of a day dedicated to Aboriginal history.

New South Wales Labor leader Luke Foley told the Sydney Morning Herald he plans to make the second Monday in June a public holiday to honour indigenous people, as ‘another step in the process of reconciliation’.

He said the day would be dedicated to ‘60,000 years of indigenous history’ if his party is elected.

Mr Foley said the Aboriginal flag would also fly on the Sydney Harbour Bridge every day if his party was elected as a sign of respect.

‘We must acknowledge the special place the First Peoples occupy in the story of our state and nation,’ he said.

‘The second Tuesday of June isn’t Her Majesty’s real birthday – the day would be better used as one to acknowledge the First Peoples.’

Mr Foley said he would consult with the community about the proposed change and would most likely not introduce it until Queen Elizabeth’s reign had ended.

Mr Foley said he would consult with the community about the proposed change and would most likely not introduce it until Queen Elizabeth’s reign had ended

He is also committed to negotiating a treaty between Aboriginal people and NSW.

The Victorian lower house recently voted for negotiating Australia’s first Aboriginal treaty, similar to existing ones in New Zealand and Canada.

Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs David Harris said changing the meaning of the public holiday would have a significant impact.

‘Creating an Indigenous public holiday in NSW is a small step we can take to acknowledge the past but more importantly create a meaningful way forward,’ he said. 

The Victorian lower house recently voted for negotiating Australia’s first Aboriginal treaty, similar to existing ones in New Zealand and Canada (stock image)