TRANSCRIPT
Cheers ... and jeers ... as Australia marks 237 years since colonisation began.
On January 26, 1788, British Royal Navy officer Arthur Phillip and his fleet anchored in Sydney Cove, now known as Circular Quay, and raised the Union Jack flag.
The date has attracted an annual protest since 1938 by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, many of whom observe a 'Day of Mourning', symbolising invasion, survival and sorrow.
It was only in 1994 that Australia Day became a public holiday in all states and territories, declared by then prime minister Paul Keating.
This is also the day Australia announces annual additions to the national honours roll.
The Prime Minister unveiling the greatest honour this year...
"The 2025 Australian of the Year is Neale Daniher."
The former AFL player and coach is being recognised for his advocacy on motor neurone disease.
Anthony Albanese also welcoming Australia's newest citizens at a ceremony in Canberra this morning.
"There'll be 700 events held by local communities right around Australia, just like the national one that's being held here."
It's a tradition that's come under significant scrutiny in recent years, with some local councils yielding to community calls to change the date out of respect for First Nations people.
These developments have been criticised by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, who's vowing to force councils to hold citizenship ceremonies on January 26.
He says citizens should rally behind the date.
"Our country needs to re-establish our sense of pride. We don't have the patriotism of the United States, but we need to be prouder of who we are. We've got university lecturers and some teachers who are telling children they should be ashamed of their history and who we are as a country. It's nonsense, complete nonsense."
Mr Dutton's deputy, Sussan Ley, took the argument further, comparing the First Fleet's arrival to Elon Musk's Space X mission to Mars.
She described the first flush of colonisation as a "daring experiment" and criticised Invasion Day rallies across the country.
Thousands marched in Meanjin, Brisbane, Warrang, Sydney, Boorloo, Perth, and other major cities like Canberra, on Ngunnawal and Ngambri Country.
Their message is loud and clear.
"Always was, always will be, Aboriginal land. What do we want?"
A change to the date of Australia's national day their main request.
It's a campaign that has gained significant support in recent years, but recent polling suggests momentum has slowed - something Mr Dutton attributes to the failed Voice Referendum.
"I think with the outcome, there are many Australians who felt that a dark cloud had been lifted from their heads, and they were able to speak out on different issues, and they were sick of being told that they should be ashamed of their country and Labor's division and putting people into different categories, and it just it has no future and there's no utility to it. We should unite as a country should be proud of who we are, and on Australia Day we should celebrate."
The Coalition leader has also vowed against standing in front of the Aboriginal flag, if he becomes the P-M, suggesting that doing so divides the nation.
It's something Indigenous leader Marcia Langton told the 7 AM podcast is just as well.
"After all that he said about us, especially during the Voice campaign - again, most of it lies - we'd be offended, well, I'd be offended if he stood in front of our flag."
At the national flag raising ceremony, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was flanked by the Australian, Aboriginal, and Torres Strait Islander flags, as he outlined his view of Australian values.
"My fellow Australians say, can I in particular welcome the 24 of you who took your seats as citizens of Brazil, France, Germany, India, Nigeria, the Philippines, South Africa, the United States, Sri Lanka and Vietnam, but will leave here as our fellow Australians."
This man from southern Nigeria, who came to Australia as an international student, was among them.
"It's taken us about six and a half years to get to this point, and for me, it's awesome.."
As was the Governor General Samantha Mostyn.
"Here, on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, Australia's story is etched in our nation's capital."
A complex and contested story, which now gets challenged each year.
