Argumentative Essay On Australia Day

Australia day is a time of celebration and joy to many citizens of Australia, however, for some people, it is not all just fun and games. The Aboriginal people have been protesting for Aboriginal rights in and around Australia day for many years now. Why do the Indigenous Australians have a legitimate grievance to what Australia day commemorates? Many lives were lost during the taking of Australian soil, and all Aboriginal rights weren’t considered. The Aboriginal culture and history is just as, if not even more interesting than the traditional Australian history. Finally, Aboriginal celebrations aren’t recognised as an official national holiday, and because of this, when these events do occur, they can swiftly be shutdown by Australian Officials.

However some Indigenous Australians believe this should be a day of sadness as it marks the start of what ends up with many lives lost and all land taken. “My family felt direct consequences of foreigners invading our land. My great-great grandfather who survived a massacre and was forced back to the mission after his father died and wasn’t allowed to own land.”

Even though the Europeans were tasked with making friends with the Traditional Landowners in a fair and respectful manner, this did not happen. Many of the original European Colonists kidnapped and killed the Indigenous Australians, stole land, and completely disregarded their beliefs / culture. Terra Nullius is the term used to describe land which is deemed “unclaimed” and can be taken by anyone. During the 18th century, the only way Britain could take control over land was if it met one of 3 criteria…

1) If the land was uninhabited

2) If the land was already inhabited, Britain could ask permission from the traditional landowners to use some of the land, Britain could also buy land, however they could not