'My sisters and mum are more likely to get raped': Indigenous Today show reporter Brooke Boney goes on an astonishing Australia Day rant - leading to a VERY awkward clash with her co-hosts
- The Indigenous Channel Nine reporter weighed in on the Australia Day debate
- Started conversation by saying Australia is 'best country in the world, no doubt'
- Said date reminds her that her sisters and mother are 'more likely to get raped'
- Ms Boney's comments were challenged by Today sports presenter Tony Jones
Indigenous Channel Nine journalist Brooke Boney says Australia Day reminds her that her sisters and mother are 'more likely to get raped' than white Australians as she called for the date to be moved from January 26.
The network's new entertainment reporter weighed in on the debate surrounding the divisive public holiday while appearing on the Today show on Thursday, starting a fiery conversation by saying Australia is 'the best country in the world, no doubt'.
'But I can't separate the 26th of January from the fact that my brothers are more likely to go to jail than school, or that my little sisters and my mum are more likely to be beaten and raped than anyone else's sisters or mum,' she said.
'And that started from that day. For me it's a difficult day and I don't want to celebrate it. Any other day of the year I will tie an Australian flag around my neck and run through the streets with anyone else.'
Indigenous Channel Nine reporter Brooke Boney says Australia Day reminds her that her sisters and mother are 'more likely to get raped' than white Australians
Ms Boney's comments were challenged by Today sports presenter Tony Jones, who asked: 'But why should any other day be different to the January 26?'
'Because that's the day that it changed for us. That's sort of the beginning of what some people would say is the end. That's the turning point,' Ms Boney replied.
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'I don't want to tell anyone what they should be doing. [But] my view is move it to the day of federation - chuck on another public holiday, or just celebrate it on another day. But I think a day that suits more people is probably going to be more uniting.'
Today co-host Georgie Gardner then pointed to Indigenous communities living without electricity and running water, in 'horrific third world conditions'.
The network's new entertainment reporter (pictured) weighed in on the divisive public holiday while appearing on the Today show on Thursday
Ms Boney's comments were challenged by Today sports presenter Tony Jones (far right), who asked: 'But why should any other day be different to the January 26?'
Mr Jones responded: 'I don't doubt that whatsoever. But I'm sorry, we do see white Australians in similar situations - we do see kids going to school with lunch - without a school uniform.'
Ms Boney, 31, interjected and argued that 'statistics tell us our lives are harder.'
'That's not me making it up or saying feel sorry for me, because I don't want anyone to feel sorry to me. What I'm talking to are the statistics,' she said.
Deborah Knight (left) applauded the panel for having a 'grown up conversation' about the issue, before Ms Gardner (right) thanked Ms Boney for her insight
Ms Boney is pictured right with her entertainment reporter predecessor Richard Wilkins
'That's what I said to you about my brother's being more likely to go to jail - our lives being harder. For it to be a ''us and them'' thing, I think that's why we are talking about it changing.'
Deborah Knight applauded the panel for having a 'grown up conversation' about the issue, before Ms Gardner thanked Ms Boney for her insight.
Ms Boney recently replaced Richard Wilkins as Today show entertainment reporter.
Ms Boney (pictured) slammed Mr Jones' comments and argued that 'statistics tell us our lives are harder'
Ms Boney (pictured) recently replaced Richard Wilkins as Today show entertainment reporter
Nearly 80 per cent of Australians are against changing the date of the national day - polls find
An overwhelming majority of Australians continue to reject calls for the country's national day to be moved from January 26, according to new polls.
Polling commissioned by the Institute of Public Affairs, a conservative think-tank, showed just 10 per cent of 1,000 people surveyed want to change the date of Australia Day.
Young Australians were even less welcoming to the idea of moving the date from January 26, which many indigenous Australians view as Invasion Day.
An overwhelming majority of Australians reject calls for the country's national day to be moved from January 26, according to new polls
'Only eight per cent of young people between the ages of 18 and 24 say Australia Day should not be celebrated on 26 January,' the IPA's Dr Bella d'Abrera said.
'[It] proves that despite the media and political left narrative, young people are not drawn to the divisive argument of opposing our national day.'
A separate poll of 1,659 people, conducted by conservative lobby group Advance Australia, found 78 per cent of those surveyed were proud to celebrate Australia Day on January 26.
'The results are in - January 26 is not a day for division and protest, but rather a day for all Australians to celebrate,' the group's National Director, Gerard Benedet, said.
Many indigenous people find it offensive the date their ancestors lost their sovereignty to British colonialists is celebrated with a public holiday.
Many indigenous people view January 26 as Invasion Day or Survival Day and find it offensive the date their ancestors lost their sovereignty to British colonialists is celebrated
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