Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I am sorely tempted to break into song, but I'll be strong! I regret to say that Senator Paterson is correct. Yesterday, the ABC's triple j did announce that the Hottest 100 will no longer be held on Australia Day—shame! For the last 20 years, the Hottest 100 has counted down on Australia Day. It's been the soundtrack for Australia Day. The decision taken by the ABC to remove the Hottest 100 from Australia Day is, quite frankly, bewildering. It is one that the government does not support. We recognise, obviously, that Australia Day and its history can be complex for some Indigenous Australians, and it's right and proper that those views will be covered on the ABC. But the fact is the overwhelming majority of Australians support 26 January as Australia Day. It's a day that we celebrate. It's a day that unites us. 26 January is our national day. That's my view. It's the view of all my colleagues on this side of the chamber. It's the view of the overwhelming majority of Australians.

Let me make clear on behalf of the government that the date of Australia Day will not be changing. triple j and the ABC should respect that fact. triple j and the ABC should not be inserting themselves into political debates by taking decisions like this.