Sadly the importance of this date for all Australians has begun to fade and now a generation later, it is all but lost. The media as usual is happy to twist the truth for the sake of controversy.
Captain Cook didn’t land on the 26th January, so changing the date of any celebration of Captain Cook’s landing would not have any impact on Australia Day, but maybe it would clear the way for the truth about Australia Day.
Australians of today abhor what was done under British governance to the Aborigines, the Irish and many other cultures around the world. So after the horrors of WW11, we decided to try and fix it. We became our own people.
On 26th January 1949, the Australian nationality came into existence when the Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948 was enacted. That was the day we were first called Australians and allowed to travel with passports as Australians and NOT British subjects.
In 1949 therefore, we all became Australian citizens under the Nationality and Citizenship Act 1948

Before that special date, all people living in Australia, including Aborigines, were called ‘British Subjects’ and forced to travel on British passports and fight in British wars.
This is why we celebrate Australia Day on the 26th January. This was the day Australians became free to make our own decisions about which wars we would fight and how our citizens would be treated. It was the day we were all declared Australians.
Until this date, Aborigines were not protected by law For the first time since Captain Cook’s landing this new Act gave Aboriginal Australians the full protection of Australian Law.
This is why 26th January is the day new Australians receive their citizenship It is a day which celebrates the implementation of the Nationality of Citizenship Act of 1948 –The Act which gave freedom and protection to the first Australians and gives all Australians,

All Australians old and new, the right to live under the protection of the Australian Law”, united as one nation.
What was achieved that day is something for which all Australians can be proud.
Isn’t it time therefore that all Australians were taught the real reason we celebrate Australia Day on 26th January? In one way or another, we are ALL descendants of Australia ALL OF US. So we should ALL be celebrating and giving thanks for the freedoms, the lifestyles and opportunities that we currently enjoy, thanks to the strengths and battles of our ancestors.'

The media want you to believe January 26 was invasion day, but it is not so, and it currently represents the day all Australians became citizens of Australia instead of British Subjects under the Australia Act January 26, 1949.

http://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/no-this-is-not-the-real-reason-australia-day-is-celebrated-on-january-26/

Josephus,

Australian citizens remain British subjects - like the
citizens of all the countries comprising the British
Commonwealth. So although Australians are recognised
as citizens of their own country - they are still
British subjects. We need to change the date to when
we truly are our own subjects.

Every Australia Day I watch the morning ceremonies
from Canberra with great pride. This year it was
even more moving with the involvement of our
Indigenous people. It showed Australians uniting
together and sharing the best of this country - its
people. The citizenship ceremony was equally moving.

It showed that we are evolving as a nation - and there's
even more to be done. The Voice to Parliament has to go
ahead. It must. If we are to reach One Nation status.
And with enough good will - I am sure that this can be done.
After watching the ceremonies - I feel very positive about
everything. We are one nation. We can achieve a One Nation
status!