Indigenous Australian of the Year and former Olympian Nova Peris has called on Cricket Australia to continue playing the national anthem at the Big Bash League final on Australia Day, emphasizing the need for national unity.
Cricket Australia recently confirmed the 2026-27 BBL final will be held on January 26, a date that holds deep significance and pain for many Indigenous Australians. The governing body has indicated that 'Advance Australia Fair' is unlikely to be played unless specifically requested by the host city.
Peris, Australia's first Indigenous Olympic gold medallist, stated that while she understands the hurt associated with January 26, division is not the solution. "Division gets us nowhere, I have watched so much division in this country," Peris told News Corp. She noted that as an Aboriginal woman whose mother was part of the Stolen Generations, she shares the pain but also carried the Australian flag as a representative of the country.
She believes that Australia can acknowledge its Indigenous history without discarding national symbols. "There is no reason why the Australian flag, the Aboriginal flag and the Torres Strait Island flag could not fly together or why they could not have a minutes silence to acknowledge the fallen and then go on and sing the national anthem," Peris suggested. She also expressed concern about setting a precedent that the anthem is a negative element, particularly with the Brisbane Olympics approaching in 2032, stating, "Our nation is facing an identity crisis. We have to co-exist."
BBL executive general manager Alistair Dobson stated that the competition has not historically featured extensive ceremony and anthems at the final, and this approach is likely to continue. "That is likely to be the way that continues, just because the BBL final is a formula we have had going for 15 years now," Dobson said.
Dobson also noted that January 26 remains the best fit in the cricket calendar following the India Test series. He stressed that Cricket Australia will consult with its National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cricket Advisory Committee and the host club before finalizing plans for how the day will be recognized. "We acknowledge that January 26 means different things to different people," Dobson said. "We'll work closely with the advisory committee and the host club around how we recognise that day."
This approach marks a shift from recent years, where the organization had previously avoided using the term 'Australia Day' during events, citing an awareness of the date's varied meanings. Former chief executive Nick Hockley defended this position, while his successor, Todd Greenberg, pledged a return to celebrating on Australia Day, aiming to balance festivities with respect for differing viewpoints.
The decision to consult with Indigenous representatives has drawn criticism from some political figures. Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has accused Cricket Australia of becoming involved in divisive politics. She questioned the need to consult specific Indigenous groups rather than the broader cricket-going public and raised concerns about which Indigenous voices would be included in the consultation process. "Why is it that all of a sudden … Cricket Australia and groups like this have to turn around and say, oh, we better consult a group of Indigenous Australians?" Senator Price asked. "How about the fans of cricket right across the country?" She urged Cricket Australia to "stick to sport and stay out of politics."