Australia Day Support Surges as Radical Activists Call for Flags to Be Burnt and ‘Monuments to Colonisation’ Destroyed

The Institute of Public Affairs (IPA), which surveyed Australians, said the rise marks a significant shift in public sentiment, reflecting a rejection of “elite” opinions.

It comes after some of the nation’s biggest companies, including Kmart and Aldi, have turned their back on Australia Day — and as activists call on citizens to protest instead of celebrate.

Activist Elsa Tuet-Rosenberg told her followers to “set fire to Cooks Cottage” and “destroy monuments to colonisation” on January 26.

She even encouraged her followers to burn the Australian flag, cut down “european trees” and set fire to “heritage sites”.

“F*** up their dumb war memorials which glorify western imperialism while refusing to acknowledge the frontier wars,” she said.

“Universities, suburbs, streets, shops etc named after genocidal colonisers? F*** them up too!”

Despite the bluster from activists, polling has shown a sharp rise in support for Australia Day, particularly among young Australians.

Deputy Executive Director of the Institute of Public Affairs Daniel Wild said the growing support demonstrated a “repudiation of the elites” who “seek to divide” the country.

“This year’s poll results show that following the divisive Voice to Parliament referendum, as well as the Woolworths saga, mainstream Australians no longer fear the elites.

“It should give the entire community great hope that despite relentless indoctrination taking place at schools and universities, young Australians are growing in civic pride,” Mr Wild said.

The percentage of 18-24-year-olds backing January 26 as Australia Day rose by 10 per cent to 52 per cent, signalling a new wave of civic pride among younger generations.

The results reflected growing polarisation on the issue, as the percentage of Australians who neither agree nor disagree with celebrating Australia Day fell from 20 per cent to 18 per cent.

The number of people opposed to the date also decreased, dropping by 3 per cent to 14 per cent.

“Australians are seeing before their eyes the decline of social cohesion on our streets and in our communities,” Mr Wild said.

“Religious and ethnic division, formerly so foreign to our nation, is now seen regularly on our city streets and university campuses.

“Uniting around our national day and our national flag reminds Australians that there is far more that unites us than divides us. This is vital if we are to regain our sense of community.”

Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister Patrick Gorman recently announced $10 million in financial support for community events to be hosted on Australia Day 2025.

“Australia Day is a day to reflect, respect and celebrate,” Mr Gorman told Sky News.

“As Australians, there is much of which we can be proud – our democracy, our shared values, the strength, diversity and generosity of our people and our beautiful natural environment.”

The funding has declined significantly under the Albanese government after former prime minister Scott Morrison spent about $30 million in grants in 2021.

“In capital cities, funding is supporting more than 20 iconic events bringing people together to reflect, respect and celebrate the common bonds we share,” Mr Gorman said.

“It is a day to reflect on our complete and complex history, to acknowledge the past, and respect and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ history and continuing culture.”

Many Aboriginal Australians and protesters of the national day have referred to January 26 as “Invasion Day” or “Survival Day”.

They have taken the view that the day Captain Arthur Phillip landed on Australian shores was the beginning of the colonisation of Aboriginal people and their land.

According to the IPA poll, there was a slight decline in people who believed Australia had a history to be proud of, from 69 per cent in 2024 to 68 per cent in 2025.

Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth told The Today Show she believed Australia Day was an “important day”.

“It’s a day to reflect, respect and celebrate. That’s the words of the Australia Day Council. And everyone can do what they want on Australia Day,” she said.

“And for many people – I go to citizenship ceremonies – it’s an incredibly important day for them.

“For others, they might want to choose to protest. And if they do that in a respectful way, that’s up to them.”

The poll also found a slight decline in national pride, with 86 per cent of Australians expressing pride in their country, down from 87 per cent in 2024.

Similarly, 68 per cent of Australians agreed that Australia has a history to be proud of, a small drop from 69 per cent last year.