Australia mourns 238 years of colonisation

The Socialist Bulletin Staff - 26/1/2026

AUSTRALIA has marked 238 years since the arrival of the British First Fleet, that began the process of colonisation, widespread theft of First Nations land, and the disenfranchisement and oppression of First Nations people.

26 January has been divisively set as 'Australia Day', a public holiday that seeks to celebrate the beginning of this process. Despite this, for the almost one hundred years since the holiday was made official in 1935, First Nations people and allies have routinely protested against the shameful celebration of the event. In recent years, Invasion Day protests have largely overshadowed government-sanctioned celebration.

Major protests are scheduled to occur across the country today, including in the following locations:

• Naarm (Melbourne)

11am, meet at Parliament House

• Gadigal Country (Sydney)

10am, meet at Hyde Park

• Magan-djin (Brisbane)

10am, meet at Queens Gardens

• Nipaluna (Hobart)

11am, meet at the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre

• Kaurna Yerta (Adelaide)

11.30am, meet at Tarntanyangga (Victoria Square)

• Boorloo (Perth)

12pm, meet at Forrest Place

• Djilang (Geelong)

11am, meet at Market Square Mall

• Gimuy (Cairns)

11.30am, meet at Fogarty Park

• limilinaturi (Devonport)

11:30am, meet at Tulaminakali Health Service

• Mildura

11am, meet at Langtree Mall centre stage

• Muloobinba (Newcastle)

9am, meet at Civic Park

• Sunshine Coast

9am, meet at Foundation Square, Maroochydore

• Yuwi Country (Mackay)

8am, meet at River Wharves Mackay

This publication urges readers to attend their closest Invasion/Survival Day protest or rally today, and stand in solidarity with First Nations people.