Media

Business as usual on January 27th to support Changing the Date

24 January 2025

A group of business and not-for-profit leaders has called for workplaces across Australia to join the push to change the date of Australia Day, by treating the upcoming January 27 public holiday as “Business as Usual.” This simple act serves as a powerful statement supporting the move to shift Australia Day away from a date that causes pain for many First Nations people and their allies.

The Change It Ourselves Alliance is a coalition of business owners and not-for-profit leaders who believe that Australia Day should be celebrated on a date that is respectful and inclusive of all Australians.

“The current date of Australia Day is divisive and offensive to many Australians. We need a date for our national celebration that brings people together, instead of pushing us apart,” said Martin Gleeson, spokesperson for the Change It Ourselves Alliance. “While January 26 continues to fall on a day of mourning for many Australians, we believe businesses can lead by example and show their commitment to reconciliation by working through the public holiday. This year, with January 26 falling on a Sunday and the public holiday observed on Monday the 27th, we have an even greater opportunity to stand united by keeping our doors open and treating it as any other working day.”

Change It Ourselves encourages employers to adopt flexible policies that allow their teams to work on the public holiday and exchange it for a different day of their choosing. This approach respects individual beliefs and promotes inclusivity in the workplace. Businesses that have implemented this policy report benefits including improved team morale, stronger alignment with values, and increased employee loyalty.

“This is about the freedom of staff to celebrate on a day in line with their values,” added Gleeson. “There are simple steps that every business and not-for-profit can take to change the date of Australia Day in their own workplace. While MPs are busy scoring political points, ordinary Australians are getting on with the job of finding a sensible solution to this issue.”

Change It Ourselves believes that businesses can play an important role in finding more positive ways to celebrate Australia. By staying open and operating as usual on January 26 or its associated public holiday, businesses challenge the economic argument often used against changing the date of Australia Day.

“If enough businesses demonstrate that the economy thrives when we make this shift, the economic argument no longer holds water,” Gleeson explained. “Together, we can build momentum for meaningful change.”

The coalition invites like-minded employers and business owners to become involved. “It’s time for us to take the lead,” said Gleeson. “Every action counts towards building an Australia that truly reflects the values of fairness, respect, and reconciliation.”

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Australian businesses take action to Change the Date

22 January 2024

In the lead-up to 26 January, dozens of Australian businesses have chosen to Change the Date of Australia Day in solidarity with First Nations Australians.

Coming together under the banner of the Change It Ourselves Alliance, these businesses choose to treat 26 January as a standard work day. Staff are given the option to work as normal and take a substitute holiday at a different time during the year. Some businesses also take further steps such as supporting staff to learn more about Australia’s history, or donating a portion of profits for the day to Aboriginal community organisations.

These businesses recognise that 26 January is a day of mourning for many First Nations Australians. For Alliance members, the idea of using this day to celebrate national identity is offensive. Their response: give staff a choice about how they approach 26 January. Many businesses taking this step have seen most or all staff choose to Change the Date.

The number of businesses participating has consistently grown over the past five years. Companies taking part range from small start-ups to well-established national brands. Not-for-profit organisations have also been joining the movement in increasing numbers. From just a handful of members in 2018, over 50 businesses and NFPs are now formal supporters of the Alliance. The full number of organisations taking action is believed to be in the hundreds.

The Alliance identifies this notable trend among Australian businesses as indicative of a broader groundswell of public opinion, with many in the community seeing the need to find more respectful and inclusive ways to celebrate the things that bring Australians together.

“Australian business owners care about our community. 26 January represents colonisation, and all the injustice that has flowed from it. The idea that we should be celebrating this day is a slap in the face to First Nations Australians. It’s not something that our staff want to be part of,” said Change It Ourselves Alliance spokesperson, Martin Gleeson.

“The good news is there are simple steps that every business or not-for-profit can take to change the date in their own workplace. While MPs are busy with political point-scoring, ordinary Australians are taking practical steps towards a fairer society,” said Mr Gleeson.

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