Triple J might have to change the date for 'Hottest 100'

It’s looking very likely that the annual Triple J “Hottest 100,” an institution that is the foundation of many young Aussies’ Australia Day celebrations, will move to a less provoking date than Australia Day (or Invasion Day).

The public broadcaster is in “serious talks” to shift the date from Jan. 26 due to growing public statement that it’s disrespectful to Indigenous Australians. They see it as a dark mark on their country’s history, a day of mourning as the date on which Captain Arthur Phillip took official possession of the colony of NSW. Producers of the ABC, which owns the radio station, have even contacted indigenous musicians to gauge their view on the issue, as reported by the Pedestrian TV.

One Melbourne man named Brendan Busch took it upon himself to lead the campaign by starting a Change.org petition, offering a prize of Falls Festival tickets worth $400 to the person who can prove they got Triple J to change the date.

“Australia Day represents, for First Nations’ Peoples, a date commemorating the invasion of their countries and colonisation of their ways of life, rather than a celebration of what it now means to be ‘Australian,’” the petition reads. “By changing the date of the ‘Hottest 100’ countdown, Triple J can send a message to First Nations’ Peoples that they, and their experiences, are valued and respected by other Australians.”

The petition has more than 2000 signatures.

Simultaneously, the ‘#ChangeTheDate’ campaign is also trending on Twitter, with some users making suggestions for other appropriate dates.

A Facebook event has also been set up by Busch, calling for supporters to sign the petition, call and email Triple J.

Triple J has declined any comment on the matter.