Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has dismissed a push by a handful of conservative politicians to enshrine in law January 26 as the date of Australia Day.
West Australian Liberal Senator Dean Smith wants the national public holiday protected in legislation, in the same way as Anzac Day and the national flag.
"I love Australia Day, it's a public holiday, it's a chance to catch up with family and friends," Mr Shorten told reporters in Queensland on Thursday.
"But I'm getting a bit over the Australia Day debate. I think the nation is. It's not going to change."
Mr Shorten acknowledged there were a few Greens councils who wanted to change the day they administer citizenship ceremonies, out of respect for indigenous people.
"The public holiday is not going to change," he said.
"I do find it a bit odd that the government sometimes gets so obsessed about what I call these 'straw man' issues.
"A straw man issue being something that isn't really going to happen, but they like to have a really good talk about it."
Mr Shorten suggested the government prioritise legislation around a national anti-corruption commission, or tighter rules around political donations.
"How about they legislate penalty rates on public holidays? That's a more useful development," he said.
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton, a leading conservative figure in the coalition government, said he had "no problem" with the proposal to protect the date.
"Australia Day is a celebration for all of us. There are 16,000 people from about 150 different countries who will become Australian citizens on the 26th," Mr Dutton told Sydney radio station 2GB.
"It is a significant date for Australians. It doesn't mean that we need to neglect the indigenous history of our country. We celebrate that.
"But Australia Day is a significant national day for our country. People come to our country to flee violence, to have their kids educated, to grow up in a civil society like ours and we shouldn't be afraid to celebrate it."
