Tasmanian Aboriginal groups are embracing comments made by the new Liberal premier Jeremy Rockliff, echoing his predecessor's support for changing the date of so-called "Australia Day".
"It's terrific news to hear a premier leading the way, acknowledging that the current date is the wrong one," Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania chairman Michael Mansell told SBS News.
"It’s a very divisive date, and he's also acknowledging the harm it's done to Aboriginal people so long as that date is kept.
"This is the second time a Tasmanian premier, of course, his predecessor Peter Gutwein also made a similar statement, and what it does indicate is that times are a-changing, and the next thing that is going to change is that date."
Mr Mansell said that Tasmania was the only Australian state or territory that had indicated it was open to changing the date of Australia Day from 26 January, but he noted a number of councils across Australia no longer held Australia Day celebrations on that date.
Michael Mansell, chairman of the Tasmanian Aboriginal Land Council, has welcomed the comments. Source: Sarah Maunder
"As far as state governments are concerned, Tasmania is certainly leading the way," he said.
Premier Rockliff indicated he supports shifting "Australia Day" from January 26, labelling conversation about the date "increasingly divisive".
Mr Rockliff also backed constitutionally enshrining an Indigenous voice to the Australian parliament, a key reform promised by the new federal Labor government.
"Australia Day, it is a national conversation of course and one that I am increasingly concerned... is becoming increasingly divisive," he told state parliament on Wednesday.
"By nature I am not a divisive person.
"Bringing people together, Aboriginal people in Tasmania, all Tasmanians, to unite and celebrate Australia Day (on) a day we can all unite is a clear objective of mine."
Mr Rockliff, a long-term deputy who became premier in April when Peter Gutwein unexpectedly quit politics, was responding to a question from Labor MP David O'Byrne about whether he backed moving Australia Day.
During his time in the state's top job, Mr Gutwein said he supported a national conversation about changing the day and that reverting to a weekend in January, and not a set date, would be a sensible compromise.
"You outlined the previous premier's view on this particular matter and I support that view," Mr Rockliff said.
"You mentioned the ... last weekend in January … the previous premier's view on that, I support. I was deputy when he made that statement."
Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania manager Rebecca Digney said it was incredibly heartening to hear the premier recognise Australia Day as divisive.
"For a very long time, Palawa/Pakana people have taken to the streets each Australia Day to tell the broader public what the day represents to us," she said.
She said there was no reason the island state could not change the date, citing moves by several Tasmanian councils in recent years to shelve Australia Day celebrations on January 26.
Mr Rockliff attended a Reconciliation Tasmania breakfast on Wednesday which included a speech from Uluru Statement from the Heart signatory Thomas Mayor.
The premier said he supported Mr Mayor's "very clear argument" with respect to changes to the constitution to enshrine an Indigenous voice to parliament.
Mr Rockliff said he was deeply committed to setting up an Aboriginal-led treaty and truth-telling pathway, a process started by Mr Gutwein.
