What we learned today, Thursday 26 January
That’s where we will leave the blog for today, which has been dominated by debate about 26 January and the Indigenous voice to parliament. Here’s what made headlines:
Thousands of people attended Invasion Day rallies across Australia where First Nations speakers called for action on deaths in custody, an end to the removal of Aboriginal children, and – in some locations – made a case against an Indigenous voice to parliament being enacted before a treaty.
The newly minted senior Australian of the year and co-chair of the Indigenous voice co-design group, Tom Calma, says he feels “a bit offended” by Greens senator Lidia Thorpe’s decision to telegraph opposition to the advisory body.
The father of Novak Djokovic, Srdjan Djokovic, has been pictured posing for photos with Vladimir Putin supporters at the Australian Open on Wednesday night.
One of New South Wales’ most-wanted men, reportedly 32-year-old Mark Horne, has been found hiding in the hull of a yacht in Darwin.
The Australian government is concerned about a backflip from Myanmar’s junta, which is now seeking to annul the amnesty given to Australian professor, Sean Turnell.
Thanks for your company today, everyone. We will be back with you tomorrow morning. Have a great night.
Updated
Australia Day debate is ‘evolving’, assistant treasurer says
The assistant treasurer, Andrew Leigh, wasn’t working today, along with many of his colleagues at Parliament House. He told the ABC that the nation is “split” when it comes to the future of Australia Day.
My staff and I aren’t working and I don’t imagine there’s many people working in Parliament House today. But clearly, there’s a variety of views in the community. Certainly polling seems to suggest the Australian public is split.
I can understand the views of people like Tom Calma, our terrific new senior Australian of the Year, when he says that he believes it’s not the most appropriate day.
People are welcome to have that debate, people are welcome to protest today or to celebrate today. They’re welcome to work, they’re welcome not to work. We certainly understand the way in which that debate is evolving.
Updated
