The Aus Government Just Asked Triple J to Change the Date of the "Hottest 100" Back

This is why we can't have nice things.

Yesterday, Triple J announced that they would be changing the date of their Hottest 100 countdown from Australia Day to the fourth Saturday in January, following a poll that showed 60 per cent of listeners were in favour of the change.

"There were a lot of different perspectives about 26 January, and different ways to approach Australia Day. But when it came to the Hottest 100, it was clear most people want the Hottest 100 to be on its own day when everyone can celebrate together," the station wrote in an article.

The decision was met mostly with praise.

Hats off to @triplej for taking a stand, and leading from the front. It's crazy to think that a radio station could be a factor in changing the date of #AustraliaDay and in turn #Reconciliation. @Briggs called it - "The date's changin" https://t.co/QgzrobuWzl

— Billows (@BillowsOnAir) November 27, 2017

But, of course, there were still a handful of people who thought the move was a political stance.

One, in particular, was Communications Minister Mitch Fifield, who told News Breakfast that only "a relatively small number of people" have an issue with the date on which Australia Day is celebrated.

"The ABC shouldn't be buying into this debate," Fifield said in a statement yesterday. "Australia Day is our national day. The ABC should honour it and not mess with the Hottest 100."

Today, he took his views one step further by asking the ABC to reconsider the date change of the Hottest 100. This is #auspol everyone. 

"I already have made my view clear to the ABC," Fifield said on News Breakfast. "I'll be asking the board of the ABC, who have the ultimate programming and editorial responsibility, to reconsider this."

People were quick to call out Fifield's hypocrisy. 

Others were more bemused at the fact that Fifield had such passionate views about Triple J.

Vision of Mitch Fifield weighing in on #Hottest100 pic.twitter.com/V5AOQboDBc

— Toby (@Toby_Halligan) November 27, 2017

And that is why we can't have nice things.

Photo: Triple J