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Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull released a video on January 15 defending the date of Australia Day in light of a push from the Greens to change the date of the commemoration.

Turnbull said he was “disappointed” by those who wanted to change the date, accusing them of wilfully creating division.

“We recognise that the history of European settlement in Australia has been complex and tragic for indigenous Australians… but above all, on Australia Day we recognise and we celebrate our achievement as Australians,” Turnbull said. “A free country debates its history, it does not deny it.”

January 26 marks the day the First Fleet arrived in Sydney Cove in 1788 and the beginning of British colonisation of Australia. Critics refer to it as “invasion day,” saying its celebrations are insensitive to the impact historically, culturally and ethnically on indigenous Australians.

The public holiday has been marred by protests in major cities across the country, with another planned for 2018. Credit: Malcolm Turnbull via Storyful