Mayor defends decision to “move” Australia Day, hits back at Prime Minister

The Mayor of Byron Shire council has hit back at the Prime Minister while defending his council’s decision to move Australia Day.

The NSW council will move its event forward a day in order to acknowledge that January 26 marks “the day the cultural decimation and denigration of the First Australians began”.

It prompted a tweet from Scott Morrison, who wrote “indulgent self-loathing doesn’t make Australia stronger. Being honest about the past does.”

Indulgent self-loathing doesn’t make Australia stronger. Being honest about the past does. Our modern Aus nation began on January 26, 1788. That’s the day to reflect on what we’ve accomplished, become, still to achieve. We can do this sensitively, respectfully, proudly, together. https://t.co/uM59Lwrr1p

— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) September 23, 2018

Speaking on 3AW Drive, councillor Simon Richardson said he found the tweet “interesting”.

“I thought we were actually celebrating Australia Day, not ‘modern’ Australia Day,” he said.

Click PLAY below to hear him explain the council’s decision