Australia Day billboard featuring Muslim women removed amid fierce debate

Australia Day billboard in Melbourne that features two women in hijabs has been removed after it sparked fierce debate among netizens. The billboard was criticised in social media for not being a true reflection of Australia Day.

The digital sign featured rolling photos of people from different cultures and a picture of Muslim women alongside the flag of Australia. Victorian Minister for Multicultural Affairs Robin Scott said the controversial Australia Day billboard has been taken down due to a number of threats.

Scott said anyone who feels victorious because the billboard has been removed should go back to the true meaning of Australia Day. “It is about bringing people together and celebrating the diversity which makes this state and this country great,” Scott told Daily Mail.

But some commenters say the country should not only represented by a pair of Muslim women. Miranda Cleary described the billboard as “so not right.” “And of course we have no say in the way we want to live in our own country, gone is this beautiful land as we know it,” she added.

Trump Bernard described the billboard as a joke and used the hashtag #youknowitmakessense on his Twitter post. “This is NOT Australia,” an account called MeanwhileinAustralia wrote.

While it was criticised, the billboard has its supporters too. Some netizens are pointing out that the land down under was a diverse nation of different people that should be celebrated. “First of all this billboard is one of many highlighting the different cultures Australia has to offer, they are not just made for Muslims,“ Chad Fatileh said.

The large billboard was hosted by outdoor media company QMS. It was supposed to be utilised to promote a Royal Automobile Club of Victoria -- a sponsored festival in Kings Domain Gardens in the centre of Melbourne. The outdoor advertisement also included Victoria’s official government and Australia Day logos.