Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley has stirred controversy with her recent Australia Day address, where she made what many are calling one of the most audacious comparisons yet. Speaking at St Matthew’s Anglican Church in Albury, Ley likened the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove to billionaire Elon Musk’s ambitions to establish a colony on Mars.
During her speech on January 26, Ley insisted the British settlers did not arrive as invaders intent on destruction, but rather as adventurers embarking on what she described as a "daring experiment" to create a new society. "All those years ago those ships did not arrive, as some would have you believe, as invaders. They did not come to destroy or to pillage," she stated, echoing sentiments of exploration akin to Musk’s endeavors with SpaceX.
"Men in boats arrived on the edge of the known world to commence this new experiment," Ley elaborated. She then drew the analogy to astronauts confronting the challenges of Mars, arguing the First Fleet settlers were similarly facing uncertainty and danger.
This rhetoric surrounding Australia Day has become intensely polarizing. While some Australians celebrate January 26 as the founding day of modern Australia, others refer to it as “Invasion Day,” highlighting the historical suffering of Indigenous Australians following European settlement. Activist and Indigenous historian Uncle Gary Foley has pointed out, "January 26 doesn’t represent an inclusive day for everyone," advocating for remembrance rather than celebration on this date.
The First Fleet, which landed on January 26, 1788, marked the onset of British colonization, which many historians and Indigenous voices argue led to genocide and the dispossession of Aboriginal peoples. Despite this history, Ley maintained her message of pride, claiming, "Today as we stand here in a peaceful, prosperous, and free Australia, how can we do anything but celebrate the success of this daring experiment?" Her remarks were set against the backdrop of increasing tensions surrounding Australia Day, as activists rallied to protest what they deem as the glorification of colonialism.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, who has publicly stated his intent to restore pride to Australia Day, shared the stage with Ley’s sentiments. He proclaimed, "If we can change the government at the next election, we will get our country back on track and we will restore pride where, at the moment, it's been replaced by apology." This aligns with the Coalition's broader strategy to reshape narratives around national holidays and Australian identity.
Ley’s comments were met with mixed reactions. Critics were quick to label her comparison inappropriate, arguing it trivializes the very real impacts of colonization on Indigenous communities. Ley responded to criticisms directed at contemporaneous protests, referring to demonstrators as "mobs" fixated on portraying themselves as survivors rather than citizens, showing her discontent with the current narrative surrounding the historic day.
"The problem with those activists is they are so fixated with projecting themselves as survivors, they leave no room for us to come together as citizens," Ley remarked, sparking outrage among those who view her interpretation of Australia Day as dismissive of Indigenous pain and perspective. Historical accounts indicate the arrival of the First Fleet initiated years of conflict, loss, and suffering for Indigenous Australians, with estimates of over 10,000 killed due to colonial violence throughout the 140 years following colonization.
It’s also noteworthy to mention Musk’s controversial political presence as he becomes more involved globally, drawing allusions to his rhetoric. Ley’s invocation of Musk coincides with political shifts within Australia, where the Opposition seeks to align itself with notable figures and ideologies, drawing comparisons of political efficiency to Musk’s methods.
While the clashing perspectives on Australia Day continue to fuel debate, Ley’s speech highlights the deep divides surrounding national identity, pride, and the legacy of colonization. The challenge remains: how can Australians reconcile their history with their aspirations for unity moving forward?
At both local gatherings and national discussions, the importance of recognizing the diverse narratives surrounding January 26 cannot be overstated. Ley’s sentiments call for reflection on what it means to be Australian today, as tensions surrounding this day expose broader questions about identity, history, and reconciliation.