SYDNEY, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- An Australian local government will delay Australia Day celebrations by two days due to "cultural sensitivities."
The annual January 26 celebration marks the arrival of the First Fleet into Port Botany where Britain first raised its colonial flag. Australia's indigenous community, however, view it as the day marking the British invasion, with large campaigns by social progressives seeking to term the annual event "invasion day."
The Fremantle Council, just south of Perth in Western Australia state in 2017 have moved their event to January 28, called "One Day" to provide an opportunity to celebrate Australia's multicultural diversity.
"We thought it was time to acknowledge it wasn't a day of celebration for everyone and it was an opportunity for us to come up with a different format on a different day that could be truly inclusive," Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettit told Newscorp on Friday.
A prominent Aboriginal elder in Fremantle Robert Isaacs however said the change was a "silly idea" out of step with the community, stressing the council "should not be playing around with white politics and black politics."
"That's not in the spirit of the Australia way and to just listen to a small group of people and to change it from the 26th to the 28th doesn't stand up with me and it doesn't stand up with the community," Isaacs told Australia's national broadcaster.
"It (Australia Day) brings the community together, it brings the Australian people together and it celebrates the good this country has provided for everyone."
Though it will be played January 26, 2017, Australia's traditional Hottest 100 countdown of the year's best music by progressive radio station Triple J is also under a cloud with future dates having been "under review."
"Triple j has been part of a growing dialogue around Indigenous recognition and perspectives on January 26. This is important to triple j and has been for some time," the station's management said in a statement in September.
"We want the Hottest 100 to be an inclusive and respectful event for all Australians, including all the incredible Indigenous artists making great Australian music, and the listeners from all cultural backgrounds who love it."
No announcement on future dates has yet been made.
