Why Pat Cash won’t be celebrating Australia Day
Tennis legend Pat Cash has revealed that he won’t be celebrating Australia Day because of how severely the country has failed our Indigenous population.
His controversial comments have reignited debate about changing Australia’s national day from January 26.
As an ambassador for Aboriginal charity Children’s Ground, Cash recently visited the Northern Territory and left the trip disgraced at the condition of the country.
"They're struggling in mainstream school," he said.
"What happens to a lot of the kids? They just drop out.
"There's no electricity, they're living in poverty, it's just so sad.
"I mean are we really doing this to our First Nation people, Aboriginal people?"
The first change Cash wants to see happen for Aboriginal people, is to change the date of national celebration to anything but January 26.
The Greens are also rallying to change the date, working at local government level to convince the community.
However, many people believe the date should be left alone.
The Federal government has blocked attempts by several councils to change the date, including Moreland, Yarra and Darebin, Freemantle and Inner West in Sydney.
Some Aboriginal leaders have their doubts about changing the date, such as Alice Springs councillor Jacinta Price. “Changing Australia Day doesn’t change the lives of Aboriginal people in remote communities,” she said.
Do you think the date of Australia Day should be changed? Let us know in the comments below.