Only 42 Percent of Gen Zs Support ‘Australia Day’: Poll

A spectator wears Australian flags during the fourth round singles match between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Alex de Minaur of Australia during day eight of the 2023 Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia on Jan. 23, 2023. Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

A poll of 1,000 Australians reveals the majority of the population support Australia Day being celebrated on Jan. 26.

The news comes amid renewed controversy around Australia’s national day, with multiple corporations indicating they will not put out merchandise ahead of the public holiday.

The data (pdf), commissioned by the Institute of Public Affairs and collected by marketing research firm Dynata, showed only 17 percent of people disagree with celebrating Australia Day on Jan. 26.

Additionally, out of the individuals polled, 20 percent of people neither agree or disagree with this statement.

The survey also showed 87 percent of people agreed with the statement “I am proud to be an Australian,” with only 4 percent disagreeing with this question and 9 percent neither agreeing or disagreeing.

Daniel Wild, deputy executive director of the Institute of Public Affairs, notes that despite the continued campaign by the “political class” and “elites” to denigrate and cancel the national day, a strong majority still support it.

“It is simple, if we do not fight for Australia Day, we will lose it. Having lost the Voice to Parliament referendum, the attempts to destroy our national day by the elites and the political class will be unrelenting,” Mr. Wild said.

“January 26 is more than just a date, it represents the establishment of modern Australia as a free and fair country, it rightly should be celebrated. Mainstream Australians understand that cancelling Australia Day is an assault on the Australian way of life.”

Support Drops Among Young Adults

However, support for retaining the current date for Australia Day dropped to only 42 percent among those aged between 18 to 24.

Out of this age group, 30 percent disagree with the national day, while 28 percent neither agree or disagree.

Support for celebrating Australia Day was highest among those aged over 55, with 71 percent of respondents indicating support for the national day.

Mr. Wild expressed his concern at the support for Australia Day among those adults under the age of 24.

“It is concerning just 42 percent of those aged 18-24 support Australia Day on January 26, this is a direct result of relentless indoctrination taking place at schools and universities,” he said.

61 percent of Australians beyond the years of formal education aged 25-34 indicated support for Australia day.

“You can hardly blame young Australians for having a negative view of their country given they are continually told it is not worth celebrating or fighting for,” Mr. Wild said.

“We all have a role to play to let young Australians know, while not perfect, how great our nation and its story is.”

Merchandise Controversy

The poll result comes after major supermarket giant Woolworths last week revealed it would not be stocking special Australia Day merchandise ahead of the public holiday.

This led to Opposition leader Peter Dutton calling on Australians to “boycott” Woolworths. However, Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt claimed Mr. Dutton was engaging in a “culture war.”

Aldi, Australia’s third largest supermarket chain, also revealed it would not sell Australia Day themed products ahead of the big day.

However, the Reject Shop indicated it would stock Australian-themed merchandise for Australia Day, along with items related to cricket and tennis events.