Queens birthday replaced with indigenous day labor proposal 20180611 p5wfqv.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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Labor says Queen's Birthday public holiday should be replaced

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The Queen's Birthday public holiday would be replaced with a day recognising indigenous history, if Labor wins government in NSW next year.

Opposition leader Luke Foley announced the plan today, saying it would be "another step in the process of reconciliation".

It would also be in addition to a Labor commitment to fly the Aboriginal flag on the Sydney Harbour Bridge every day of the year.

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"We must acknowledge the special place the First Peoples occupy in the story of our state and nation," Mr Foley said in a statement.

He said a Labor government would also establish a treaty process in NSW to provide a truthful basis for reconciliation.

Opposition spokesman for Aboriginal affairs David Harris said the public holiday step was a small change to acknowledge the past.

"It's important for us to build on the existing relationship with the NSW Aboriginal community to empower them to achieve lasting generational change," he said.

Kamilaroi woman Cheree Toka began the campaign to fly the Aboriginal flag on the Sydney Harbour Bridge every day and her online petition has attracted more than 87,000 signatures.

The flag is currently raised 15 days a year - on Australia Day and during reconciliation and NAIDOC weeks.

Ms Toka hopes to present her petition to state parliament in the final sitting week in November.

- AAP

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