Cabinet minister slams Triple J for moving Hottest 100

A cabinet minister is leading the charge against Triple J’s decision to move its Hottest 100 countdown away from Australia Day to avoid offending indigenous people.

The ABC’s youth station announced on Monday it would shift its annual countdown from January 26 after a poll of listeners showed 60 per cent in favour of moving the chart from the national day.

Queensland Nationals senator Matt Canavan, who at 37 is the Turnbull government’s youngest cabinet minister, slammed the move.

‘I’m happy to say absolutely this is a disgraceful decision,’ he told Sky News presenter Andrew Bolt on Monday night.

It will now be held on the fourth Saturday of January, after careful consideration to the significance of Australia Day to Aboriginal people

The federal resources minister said it wasn’t up to the ABC to determine the appropriateness of commemorating the arrival of the British First Fleet in 1788.

‘I don’t think it’s for them to start redefining our national culture or try to,’ Senator Canavan said.

‘They should be condemned loudly and I hope they reflect on this decision and change it at the top levels of the ABC.’ 

Senator Canavan, the youngest cabinet minister, referred to the ABC as the ‘Australian Broadcasting Commission’, even though it’s been called the Australian Broadcasting Corporation since 1983.

The conservative minister, based at Rockhampton, in central Queensland, had plenty of people agree with his views on Triple J’s Twitter page.

Triple J's Hottest 100 countdown has been moved from its January 26th slot following increasing debate around the celebration of Australia Day

Triple J’s Hottest 100 countdown has been moved from its January 26th slot following increasing debate around the celebration of Australia Day

One man accused the ABC of buying into a political debate by moving the Hottest 100 

One man accused the ABC of buying into a political debate by moving the Hottest 100 

This young man from Melbourne said the national broadcaster needed to respect our history 

This young man from Melbourne said the national broadcaster needed to respect our history 

Two critics on Triple J's Twitter feed said the ABC should keep its nose out of political debates

Two critics on Triple J’s Twitter feed said the ABC should keep its nose out of political debates

The announcement was made by the ABC on Monday, following a series of surveys stating that as many as 60 per cent of people were in favour of a change in date

The announcement was made by the ABC on Monday, following a series of surveys stating that as many as 60 per cent of people were in favour of a change in date

‘Disgraceful that the national broadcaster is buying into a political debate,’ one man said. ‘What a joke our nation is becoming.’ 

One young man from Melbourne was also unimpressed.

‘Have some god damn respect for our country’s history,’ he said.

‘Way to bow to a ridiculous agenda.’

However, another critic he was chatting to said he would keep listening to Triple J, even though he disagreed with the decision.

‘I want music not political opinions. They should keep their nose out of it,’ he said.

‘Either way I’ll listen to them anyway.’   

The Turnbull Government's youngest cabinet minister told Andrew Bolt Triple J should be condemned for undermining the national day 

The Turnbull Government’s youngest cabinet minister told Andrew Bolt Triple J should be condemned for undermining the national day 

It is unsure whether future Hottest 100 events will be held on the Saturday or Sunday however, with the station asserting it will 'again be on the fourth weekend of January' in 2019, despite Australia Day falling then

It is unsure whether future Hottest 100 events will be held on the Saturday or Sunday however, with the station asserting it will ‘again be on the fourth weekend of January’ in 2019, despite Australia Day falling then

The musical tradition will now take place on the fourth weekend of January, with voting opening six weeks beforehand.

‘It should be an event that everyone can enjoy together – for both the musicians whose songs make it in and for everyone listening in Australia and around the world,’ the ABC said.

Nearly 65,000 people voted in the first survey issued by the station, which showed three in five people preferred a new date.

While a second online poll of 18 to 30-year-old’s revealed more than half supported the idea.

The new date was chosen after careful consideration to retain the event’s summer history and ‘keep all the best bits you love about the Hottest 100’.

Nearly 65,000 people voted in the first survey issued by the station, which showed three in five people preferred a new date

Nearly 65,000 people voted in the first survey issued by the station, which showed three in five people preferred a new date

It will also include a second countdown of the 200-101 votes, with those to be aired on the following Sunday

It will also include a second countdown of the 200-101 votes, with those to be aired on the following Sunday

It will also include a second countdown of the 200-101 votes, with those to be aired on the following Sunday.  

Despite celebrating on January 26th since 1998, there have been times in the event’s history where the date has changed.

The first countdown in 1989 was held at the beginning of March, while January 25th was trialled as an alternate in 2004. 

As for Australia Day, special programming and homegrown music will form a large part of the station’s scheduled broadcast.

It is unclear whether future Hottest 100 events will be held on the Saturday or Sunday however, with the station asserting it will ‘again be on the fourth weekend of January’ in 2019, despite Australia Day falling then.

A second online poll of 18 to 30-year-old's revealed more than half supported the idea of changing the countdown's date

A second online poll of 18 to 30-year-old’s revealed more than half supported the idea of changing the countdown’s date

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