The Essential Report Archive Read the latest report

National day

5 Feb 2019

Q. It has been suggested that Australia should have a separate national day to recognise Indigenous Australians. Do you…?   

Total Labor Liberal + National Greens NET: Other Oct ‘18
Support a separate day and keep Australia Day 37% 43% 36% 41% 28% 36%
Support a separate day to replace Australia Day 15% 18% 11% 34% 9% 14%
NET: Support a separate day 52% 61% 46% 74% 38% 50%
Do not support a separate day 40% 30% 49% 21% 58% 37%
Don’t know 8% 9% 5% 3% 5% 12%

Support for a separate day to recognise Indigenous Australians (either in place, or alongside Australia Day) has increased 2%pts from Oct ’18, from 50% to 52%.

37% support including a separate national day with a further 15% supporting a replacement of Australia Day.

Support for a separate day was highest among Greens (74%) and Labor (61%) voters.

Total Aged 18-34 Aged 35-54 Aged 55+
Support a separate day and keep Australia Day 38% 51% 37% 26%
Support a separate day to replace Australia Day 15% 21% 17% 9%
NET: Support a separate day 52% 72% 54% 35%
Do not support a separate day 40% 21% 36% 59%
Don’t know 8% 7% 10% 6%

Support for a separate day was highest among those aged 18-34, with 72% support. This dropped to 54% support among 35-54 year olds and 35% among those aged over 55.

Error: