Change the date debate heads to Senate

The national debate over whether to change the date of Australia Day is set to play out in federal parliament.

Greens senator Rachel Siewert has given notice of a motion she will move in the Senate this week calling for the date to be changed to acknowledge January 26 as a day of mourning for indigenous Australians.

Meanwhile Nationals senator John "Wacka" Williams will move a separate motion calling on the Senate to confirm Australia Day will continue to be celebrated on January 26.

The debate over whether to change the date overshadowed this year's Australia Day celebrations with tens of thousands marching in protests across the nation's capital cities calling for change.