Australian Broadcasting Corporation

The majority voted against a motion that supports the decision of ABC's Triple J to change the date of its Hottest 100 from 26 January (Australia Day) to the fourth weekend in January.

According to ABC News, this change has been made in light of "the "increasing debate" about January 26 and its meaning for Indigenous Australians."

Motion text

That the Senate—

(a) notes Triple J's decision to move its iconic Hottest 100 from 26 January to the fourth weekend in January;

(b) acknowledges the consultation process undertaken, in which almost 65 000 people participated in a questionnaire about the Hottest 100 date, with 60 per cent in favour of moving the date;

(c) notes the Triple J Hottest 100 debuted on 5 March 1989;

(d) reminds the Minister for the Arts and the Minister for Communications (Senator Fifield), of the importance of the independence of the ABC, and calls on him not to interfere with decisions of the broadcaster; and

(e) urges other organisations and community groups to consult their communities about celebrations and events held on 26 January.