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New South Wales Premier Kristina Keneally says that it is "very comfortable" having Australia Day as it currently is. Her comments were in contrast to her husband's uncle - author Thomas Keneally - who backed the need for a conversation on our nation's s |
Keneally family split over Oz Day, flag and anthem
Issue 194 - 05 Feb 2010
ISSUE 194, February 4, 2010: Unlike her husband's uncle, famed author Thomas Keneally, NSW Premier Kristina Keneally does not see the need for debate about the date on which Australia Day is celebrated.
She believes the day marking the First Fleet's arrival at Sydney Cove in 1788 is an integral part of the nation's identity.
Again declaring her support for an Australian republic, Ms Keneally last week told reporters she was also content with the current Australian flag and national anthem.
"Australia Day is part and parcel of our nation's identity ... it's part of our national celebration and I'm pretty sure that the community is very comfortable having Australia Day in January," US-born Ms Keneally said.
The premier's comments came a day after Thomas Keneally told reporters it was "worth debating" moving Australia Day to another date.
"On Australia Day, I believe most reasonable Australians now admit that the descent of European people upon Australia brought bewilderment and pain for the Eora people of the Sydney basin," the author told an Australia Day function last Sunday.
Many people, particularly Indigenous Australians, mark January 26 as Invasion Day or Survival Day.
Ms Keneally said she was content with the timing of Australia Day, and also Australia's flag and anthem.
"Whilst I'm a republican and do believe that Australia should ultimately become a republic, I don't believe there is a call from within the community to change the flag today," Ms Keneally said when asked her thoughts on a proposal to remove the Union Jack.
"In fact, I respect the flag and its role in our nation and in our traditions."
When questioned about the national anthem, the premier nearly broke into verse.
"Love the anthem - do you want me to sing verses one and two? No, actually I shouldn't sing, I shouldn't sing publicly, ever, at all," she joked.-AAP
 
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