The Victorian government has sparked controversy after surveying citizens about their thoughts on honouring Indigenous people killed by early white settlers on Anzac Day.
Premier Daniel Andrews’ department canvassed opinions to see if Aboriginals who died fighting British colonisation should also be recognised alongside Australian and New Zealand soldiers who lost their lives in Gallipoli in World War I, the Herald Sun reports.
The carefully-worded survey itself questioned if: ‘The period between 1790 and 1930 where Aboriginal Australians defended their lands, kinships and customs from European invasion/settlement should be reflected in the Anzac Day ceremony.’
The survey canvassed opinions to see if Aboriginals who died fighting British colonisation should also be recognised alongside soldiers who lost their lives in Gallipoli in World War I (Stock image)
It asked if: ‘The period between 1790 and 1930 where Aboriginal Australians defended their lands, kinships and customs from European invasion/settlement should be reflected in the Anzac Day ceremony’ (Invasion Day protest pictured)
One third of the 504 Victorian participants showed strong support for the statement, while 19 per cent strong disagreed and half expressed no opinion.
A follow-up report uncovered by the publication revealed a large portion of respondents were ‘reluctant to recognise the frontier conflicts as part of Anzac or Remembrance Days, as they felt this would politicise the day’, while some said they did not want to feel ‘guilty’ on a day they want to feel pride.
The RSL and the Institute of Public Affairs have since slammed the survey and have spoken out in opposition of honouring Indigenous death on Anzac Day.
‘Around Anzac Day and Remembrance Day, I think because of their particular significance and the days that they represent, it’s probably not appropriate ‘ RSL state president Dr Rob Webster said.
Evan Mulholland, of the Institute of Public Affairs, described the survey as nothing more than another ‘left wing ideology’ attempting to tear down another national holiday.
The RSL and the Institute of Public Affairs have since slammed the survey and have spoken out in opposition of honouring Indigenous death on Anzac Day (Invasion Day protest pictured)
Evan Mulholland, of the Institute of Public Affairs, described the survey as nothing more than another ‘left wing ideology’ attempting to tear down another national holiday (Protest pictured)
One third of the 504 Victorian participants showed strong support for the statement, while 19 per cent strong disagreed and half expressed no opinion (Veteran pictured)
Despite one-third of survey participants expressing support for Indigenous recognition on Anzac Day, the state government confirmed it had no plans to change the existing program of commemorative events on April 25.
The report also noted the survey results were indicative of a general ‘goodwill’ towards Indigenous people and their experiences.
While participants were reluctant to explicitly honour Aborigines killed by white settlers, some expressed support for adding extra activities in the afternoon on Anzac Day after the sacred formalities are over.
Despite one-third of survey participants expressing support for Indigenous recognition on Anzac Day, the state government confirmed it had no plans to change the existing program of commemorative events on April 25 (Invasion Day protest pictured)
The report also noted the survey results were indicative of a general ‘goodwill’ towards Indigenous people and their experiences (Veterans pictured)
While participants were reluctant to explicitly honour Aborigines killed by white settlers, some expressed support for adding extra activities in the afternoon on Anzac Day after the sacred formalities are over (Invasion Day protest pictured)
It follows fierce dissension surrounding Australia Day and the ‘Invasion Day’ campaign to change the date from January 26.
Australians were divided in celebration and mourning on the day as activists flooded streets across the country in protest of the public holiday.
Yarra City Council, a branch of the Victorian government, also took the extraordinary step of forbidding staff from referring to the day as ‘Australia Day’ in a bid to avoid causing offence to the general public.
The 1000 employees – which included childcare workers, librarians and even gardeners – were instructed to call it ‘January 26 public holiday’ when with customers and clients.