The FSU First Nations Finance Workers Committee acknowledge that many Australians wish to celebrate the success and achievements of the nation that they contribute to every day.
We call on our fellow unionists in solidarity to recognise that the establishment of the British Colony in 1788 was done without the consent of the First Nations Peoples and marked the commencement of a bloody period of colonial expansion in which Country was forcibly taken from the First Nations Peoples across the continent of Australia.
For this reason, many First Nations people mark 26 January as a day of mourning, sorrow and invasion.
Australia Day was only established as a national holiday in 1994 but First Nations people have been protesting Australia Day since 1938 when it was first called a ‘Day of Mourning’.
We ask you to commemorate 26 January how you choose – safely, respectfully and with kindness.
- Many First Nations people are rethinking 26 January and calling for the date to change or be abolished. We encourage you to learn more here.
- We encourage you to show solidarity with your First Nations unionists – please join us at the many Invasion Day commemoration events held on 25 and 26 January around Australia.
- Find a new day to celebrate. If you would prefer to work on 26 January and take another day off, NAIDOC Week (the first full week in July), National Sorry Day (26 May) or Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June) are suggestions for a replacement day for Australia Day.
How can we substitute 26 January for another day off?
You may be entitled to swap 26 January for another day off depending on where you work, if it is your preference to do so.
The entitlement to substitute a public holiday for another day is determined by the industrial instrument that covers you and your workplace.
If you’re covered by an Enterprise Agreement and it contains a right to substitute a public holiday for another day, talk to your employer about swapping 26 January for another day that you would prefer to take off instead. Substituting a public holiday must be by agreement between you and your employer.
For further advice, call our Member Rights Centre 1300 366 378 or email [email protected]
