Federal Politician Zali Steggall Calls For Minute's Silence To Be Held On Australia Day

A federal politician is leading the charge to have a minute's silence on Australia Day.

Zali Steggall believes it would be a good time to honour the Indigenous people who died during the European invasion of the country all those centuries ago.

The Independent Warringah MP has called on local councils to consider introducing the small measure during their celebrations on January 26.

Speaking to The Manly Daily, Ms Steggall said: "There should be a formal recognition of the loss, hurt and sorrow felt by our Indigenous community on January 26.

"Councils provide an important leadership role in commemorating this day by hosting numerous formal and informal ceremonies and activities for their communities. However, January 26 provokes a range of emotions for many within our community."

She argues the arrival of the First Fleet arrived in Australia back in 1788 sparked 'violence, disempowerment and displacement of our Indigenous communities that has created sorrow, discrimination and hardship that has lasted for generations'.

"It is only right that we acknowledge all that this day represents and build remembrance into our ceremonies to recognise the price that has been paid by First Australians," she said.

"A ceremonial minute's silence could be a powerful step in the healing journey."

For the past several years, Australia Day has been controversial. While many across the country have celebrated the big day, others have called for the date to be changed.

Supporters of 'Change The Date' believe it's wrong to celebrate on a day that marks the arrival of European settlers due to the impact it had on the Indigenous population.

However, a new poll highlighted an overwhelming majority of Aussies want Australia Day kept on January 26.

According to a survey of 1,038 people by the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA), 69 per cent of Australians wanted the controversial day to be celebrated on the same date, while just 11 per cent wished for the date being changed.

The majority of those surveyed - 82 per cent - said they felt proud to be Australian, while 72 per cent thought celebrating the national day was 'a way for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to celebrate being Australian.'

The survey results came after Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe called for the Aboriginal Flag to be flown at half-mast across the country on January 26.

She believes the move would recognise the First Nations people who were affected by the European colonisation of Australia.

Featured Image Credit: Zali Steggall/Facebook

Topics: Australia

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

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