Australian diplomat Stephen Smith sparks uproar over Australia Day celebrations

Australia’s top diplomat in London has sparked outrage after refusing to hold any Australia Day celebrations.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has called on Australian High Commissioner to Britain Stephen Smith to “get on the next plane home” after Thursday’s controversial announcement.

The High Commission of Australia in Britain will host several Australia Day celebrations in the run-up to January 26, but none on the day itself.

Mr Smith claimed the lack of festivities at Australia House was due to the fact that this year’s bank holiday fell on a Sunday, which is considered a quiet day for London.

Others believe it is part of an attempt by the Labor government to distance itself from the date the First Fleet arrived in Sydney in 1788.

The decision has sparked a backlash led by Mr Dutton, who called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to intervene and order the diplomat to “celebrate Australia Day with great pride on that day”.

“The Prime Minister owns this because the British High Commissioner was his captain’s choice,” Dutton told the Daily Telegraph.

“The Prime Minister should pick up the phone today and sort this out. What other developed country refuses to recognize its national holiday?

Many Indigenous groups have pushed for the date of Australia’s national day to be moved from January 26, as it marks the start of Australia’s colonization.

“If Stephen Smith is embarrassed about Australia Day, he should be on the next flight home.”

Celebration Australia campaigner Jason Bryant, a former Australian Federal Police officer, also condemned the decision.

‘Our government’s decision is extremely disappointing. Our country is becoming increasingly divided and it is critical that we stand as one,” he said.

“We love this country and cherish the freedoms and prosperity we all enjoy.”

Mr Smith, who was selected as the British High Commissioner to Australia in 2023, will host three invitation-only events at Australia House in the run-up to January 26.

An Australian High Commission spokesperson blamed logistics when asked if the avoidance of celebrations on the 26th was due to controversy surrounding the date.

“The decision-making process was guided by the desire to maximize British turnout and deliver value for money,” he said

“The Australian High Commission in London looks forward to hosting several events to mark Australia Day 2025.”

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton (pictured) slammed Mr Smith for being ‘ashamed’ of his country after the diplomat announced the closure of Australia House and his refusal to attend the annual gala dinner in London

Invitation-only events are held at Australia House (pictured) in the lead up to Australia Day, but it is closed for the holiday as it falls on a Sunday

Mr Smith is no stranger to the Australia Day controversy.

Last year he sparked outrage when he announced Australia Day celebrations, including the annual gala dinner, would not take place at the Australian High Commission.

Smith was later criticized by Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles

The gala, organized by the Australia Day Foundation, has been an annual celebration of the relationship between Australia and Britain for 20 years.

It is held on the Saturday closest to Australia Day and is attended by some of the country’s top political and business tycoons.

Louise Mulley, CEO of the Britain-Australia Society, said this year’s sold-out gala dinner, which raises money for Australians studying in Britain, will focus on modern Australia.

‘Our recognition of ‘Australia Day’ comes through our involvement in the Australia Day Gala held in London on January 25 – which does not commemorate the landing of the First Fleet on January 26, but rather is an event that represents a modern, forward-thinking, diverse and inclusive celebration of Australia and all Australians,” she said.

Many Indigenous groups and younger Australians have pushed for the date of Australia’s national day to be moved to January 26, as it marks the start of Australia’s colonization.

A 2024 Ipsos poll found that 48 percent of Australians said the date should not be changed, while 27 percent thought the holiday should be moved.