Our First Peoples are the traditional custodians of our beautiful lands and waterways and have a fundamental role in the great Australian story.
We aspire to an Australia Day that can increasingly include a recognition and celebration by all Australians of the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to our nation.
January 26 has multiple meanings: it is Australia Day for some, and it is also, for some, Survival Day.
Some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians have mixed feelings about celebrating this day - some consider it a day of mourning, and others use the day to mark the survival of their ongoing traditions and cultures.
It's important that these views are respected and that collectively we have constructive conversations about this history and seek ways to move forward together as a nation.
Our national day provides an opportunity to acknowledge and learn about our nation's past. It's a time to reflect on and learn about our national journey including the ongoing history, traditions and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.