James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

The coalition government does not support this motion. The overwhelming majority of Australians support our national day, Australia Day, being held on 26 January. The ABC should respect this fact. Minister Fifield has not sought to interfere with the decisions of the broadcaster. He has expressed a view about this decision, making clear that the government does not support it, and called on the ABC to reconsider it. All Australians fund the ABC with their taxes, and all Australians are entitled to express a view about the ABC. The Greens' ongoing efforts to delegitimise Australia Day are shameful and should be strongly resisted.