Blogs
When the calendar is examined over time, one option consistently stands up to scrutiny.
The second-last Monday in January avoids January 26 altogether, guarantees a long weekend every year, and sits naturally within the summer holiday period. Compared with other January options, it creates the least disruption while offering the greatest clarity and consistency. This isn’t about removing getting rid of the national holiday - it’s about choosing a date that works better for more people, year after year.
Why silence isn’t neutrality, it’s complicity. Stand in truth and solidarity with First Nations peoples this Jan 26, because it’s not a date to celebrate.
A personal letter from us to you about why January 26 divides this country and why we believe it’s time to imagine something different through the idea of an Australian Long Weekend.
PUSH TO SOLVE DEBATE WITH A LONG WEEKEND
A petition has been launched calling on the federal government to introduce a national Australia Long Weekend celebration to finally resolve the annual January “Australia Day debate”.
Gunditjmara woman, and Clothing The Gaps founder, Laura Thompson, said the new campaign to introduce a long weekend “might just be the answer we are looking for”.
Instead of marking “Australia Day” on January 26, the public holiday could move to the second-last Monday in January each year, creating a consistent long weekend that never falls on January 26.
It’s a question we get asked all the time.
And honestly - it’s a tricky one to answer.
But, what about an Australian Long Weekend?
