75% of Australians support Australia Day being celebrated on January 26 according to a new poll of 1,000 Australian commissioned by the Institute of Public Affairs.
The polling conducted by Research Now reveals that only 10% of Australians think the date of Australia Day should be changed. The figure of 75% who think Australia Day should be celebrated on 26 January represents an increase from the 70% result from the same question asked last year.
“Mainstream Australians are fundamentally optimistic and positive about Australia and its values,” said Dr Bella d’Abrera, Director of the Foundations of Western Civilisation Program at the IPA.
The polling also finds that of those surveyed:
- 88% were ‘proud to be an Australian’ – only 3% disagree.
- 76% believe ‘Australia has a history to be proud of’ – only 11% disagree.
- 92% said ‘Freedom of speech is an important Australian value’ and 77% said ‘Freedom of religion is an important Australian value’.
“These results demonstrate that freedom of speech and freedom of religion are important values for mainstream Australians. They are not the fringe issues as often portrayed by the political class.
“Only 8% of young people between the ages of 18-24 say Australia Day should not be celebrated on 26 January. Which proves that despite the media and political left narrative, young people are not drawn to the divisive argument of opposing our national day.
“26 January marks the foundation of modern Australia and it should to be celebrated by all Australians. Rather than being ashamed of it, we should be proud of it,” said Dr d’Abrera.
Download the results by Research Now
