{"id":187245,"date":"2017-08-18T18:50:06","date_gmt":"2017-08-18T08:50:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=187245"},"modified":"2020-08-14T16:47:30","modified_gmt":"2020-08-14T06:47:30","slug":"mp-rejects-any-change-to-australia-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2017\/08\/18\/mp-rejects-any-change-to-australia-day\/","title":{"rendered":"MP Rejects Any Change To Australia Day"},"content":{"rendered":"
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LNP Member for Maranoa David Littleproud … supports Australia Day just the way it is<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

August 18, 2017<\/strong><\/p>\n

Member for Maranoa David Littleproud has come out strongly in support of keeping Australia Day on January 26.<\/p>\n

Speaking after a a Victorian Council decided to scrap its Australia Day celebration, Mr Littleproud said January 26 was more than a public holiday marked with a barbecue, beer and sun.<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s a day where we recognise the remarkable nation we\u2019ve become, welcome new Australians into our community and it\u2019s a date that will not change,” he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe all recognise our history\u2019s challenges but on Australia Day, we also recognise the greatness of our achievements.<\/p>\n

\u201cReconciliation is about changing attitudes, not trying to bury our history with a date change.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mr Littleproud\u2019s call to keep Australia Day came after Melbourne\u2019s Yarra Council voted unanimously this week to change the way it marks January 26.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome are trying to use Australia Day \u2013 a day which unites us \u2013 into a day to divide us,\u201d he said.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cEach bush community in Maranoa acknowledges Australia Day \u2013 whether it\u2019s a thong throwing competition, lamington-making classes and citizenship of new Australians, it\u2019s a day which brings the community together.<\/p>\n

\u201cI represent wonderful communities, large and small, across more than 42 per cent of Queensland and each Australia Day event commences with an acknowledgement or welcome to country because we respect our First Australians \u2013 the oldest human civilisation in the world.<\/p>\n

\u201cAustralia Day isn\u2019t trying to forget about the past. It remembers where we\u2019ve come from, celebrates our achievements and looks towards a future of who we would like to become.\u201d<\/p>\n