Australia Day 2021: when is it, what does it celebrate - and what controversial names are on the Honours List?

The day is often referred to Invasion Day and Survival Day by indigenous Australians

Australia Day is celebrated on January 26 (Getty Images)

Millions of Australians are celebrating their country’s national day today.

Defined by family gatherings, outdoor barbecues and firework displays, the holiday is also the subject of controversy.

In recent years the date has been used to celebrate the country’s diversity, but due to its links to colonialism the day is often met with opposition.

What is Australia Day?

Australia Day is celebrated every January 26, on the anniversary of the arrival of the First Fleet at Port Jackson in New South Wales, and the raising of the British flag at Sydney Cove by Arthur Philip.

The First Fleet was a group of 11 ships which carried prisoners from Portsmouth to the southern hemisphere. The inhabitants of these ships would become the first European settlement in Australia.

The day has been recognised as a national holiday since 1994, though records show that the day has been recognised in some form since 1808.

How is it celebrated?

January 26 is a public holiday for Australians with many spending the day sharing a picnic or barbecue with family members.

Reflections on Australian history, firework displays and parades are also commonplace.

The day is also marked with the announcement of the Australia Day Honours list and an Australian of the Year.

Why is the holiday controversial?

The holiday is subject to criticism due to its links to British colonialism and violence against the indigenous community.

Members and allies of the indigenous community often refer to the day as Invasion Day. Efforts have been made in recent years to rebrand the day as a celebration of the country’s diversity, while some have called for the day to be moved to a date not linked with colonialism, such as independence day or Anzac day.

What’s controversial about this year’s Honours list?

The holiday is doubly controversial this year due to tennis player Margaret Court’s featuring on the Honours list.

Court won 24 Grand Slam titles during her career, and is to be issued with Companion of the Order of Australia – the country’s highest honour.

Court has been heavily criticised for her view on LGBTQ+ rights, and has long spoken out against same-sex marriage. In 2019 she claimed that transgender athletes were “controlled by the devil”.

Australia Prime Minister Scott Morrison defended her inclusion on the honours list, stating: “this is a completely independent set of processes. It is an announcement that will be announced on that day. It is a system that recognises the full spectrum of individuals across this country.”