An Indigenous model has spoken out about why she wants to change the date of Australia Day.
Former Bachelor star and Wiradjuri woman Kiki Morris appeared on ABC on Sunday to discuss whether it is appropriate to celebrate Australia Day on January 26.
The date marks the arrival of the First Fleet in Sydney in 1788. Supporters of Australia Day believe it marks the beginning of modern Australia, while critics see it as the beginning of the oppression of indigenous people under colonization.
Mrs Morris is in favor of changing the date of the national holiday.
“I think Australia is a wonderful country and offers a safe space for many people to live and raise their families,” he said.
“To those people, we deserve to celebrate what Australia means to all of us, but the date definitely needs to be changed.”
“We need to be sensitive to our ancestors and also to our history.”
Ms. Morris further discussed her thoughts on social media, acknowledging “this important issue that for some of us is a more emotional decision than others, but nonetheless has an impact for our collective story.”
Wiradjuri woman Kiki Morris (pictured) called for Australia Day to be changed to a date everyone can celebrate.
He also thanked ABC for allowing him to share his opinion.
“I was deeply honored to have this platform,” said Ms. Morris.
‘I truly consider speaking out on such important cultural and political issues to be a highlight of my life and career, and greatest achievement.
“I hope this starts a change for what could be the real day of celebration for ALL Australians.”
In recent years, there have been increasing calls for Australia Day to be moved to another date or recognized as Invasion Day.
Several major businesses and organizations have chosen to ignore the holiday, such as Woolworths last year.
At least 81 councils across Australia will not host Australia Day citizenship ceremonies this year, apparently for ideological reasons, while also taking the day off.
This is a big jump from just four councils that refused last year.

There have been increasing calls for Australia Day to be moved to another date or recognized as Invasion Day.
In 2022, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese allowed councils to cancel citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day, a policy the opposition has promised to change if elected this year.
However, 69 per cent of recent respondents agreed to keep the Australia Day date of January 26.
Commenters on Ms Morris’s post were largely supportive of changing the date to one that all Australians can celebrate.
‘As an Australian, I wouldn’t mind if the date changed. “We still want to celebrate Australia Day, but not at the cost of hurting our native population,” one wrote.
‘No one will be free until all our indigenous people are free and respected on all fronts. “This is how we create change,” added a second.
‘Beautifully said. Change the date to one we can all celebrate together,’ wrote a third.
‘Changing the date shouldn’t be a big deal. It is clearly a problem for indigenous peoples. Change the date, grab a beer and let’s get through this together,” said another.