Suggested changes to the date

Due to the controversy relating to 'Invasion Day', and the perceived inappropriateness of celebrating the arrival of the First Fleet, there have been suggestions to change the date of Australia Day. January 1 was suggested as a possible alternative day as early as 1957, to commemorate the Federation of Australia. In 1902, the year after federation, 1 January was named 'Commonwealth Day'. 1 January was already a public holiday, and Commonwealth Day did not gather much support.
Some have suggested making Anzac Day, 25 April, Australia's national day. However, many war veterans believe that Anzac Day is their day, and it is also a public holiday in New Zealand, Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tonga. The date of the Eureka Stockade, 3 December, has also been suggested, but has not gathered significant support.
The date 9 May is also sometimes suggested, being not only the date on which the first Federal Parliament was opened in Melbourne in 1901, but also the date of the opening of the Provisional Parliament House in Canberra in 1927, and the date of the opening of the New Parliament House in 1988. Constitution Day, 9 July is also suggested as a possible alternative, commemorating the day in 1900 when Queen Victoria gave her assent to the Constitution of Australia. 27 May, the date of the 1967 referendum to amend the constitutional status of Aboriginals, has also been suggested as a possible alternative.
On 26 January 2009, after calls from Australian of the Year award winner Mick Dodson that the date should be changed, both the Prime Minister and the leader of the Opposition expressed opposition to any change.