Lush Australia has partnered with Aboriginal-led social enterprise Clothing The Gaps to stand in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, calling for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to formally acknowledge the historical and cultural weight of 26 January and the ongoing harm caused by celebrating "Australia Day" on this date.
Guided by Clothing The Gaps and First Nations voices, Lush's Not a Date to Celebrate campaign will run from 19 to 26 January 2026, and will centre around truth‑telling, education and action.
"For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, 26 January is a day of mourning, marking the beginning of colonisation and the devastating impacts including dispossession, cultural loss and intergenerational trauma," explained Gunditjmara woman and Clothing The Gaps Ceo and Co-Founder, Laura Thompson.
"Continuing to celebrate on this date ignores these lived realities and undermines national values of respect, unity and reconciliation.
"This campaign is about truth‑telling and ensuring First Nations voices are heard. We're being supported by Lush to help more people understand why celebrating on Jan 26 causes harm and why it's time for the Prime Minister to acknowledge the profound significance and ongoing impact and division that celebrating 'Australia Day' on this date continues to have."
As part of the campaign, Lush stores offer customers the opportunity to show their support by signing the Clothing The Gaps petition in-store.
This petition calls for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to recognise that January 26 is not a day of national celebration for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and acknowledge the harm caused by celebrating 'Australia Day'.
It also urges greater engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people about the future of the national day, as well as leadership grounded in truth-telling and respectful dialogue.
Additionally, Lush launched their limited edition 'Always Will Be' soap on January 8 for in-store and online purchase.
Developed by Lush in consultation with Clothing The Gaps to ensure cultural integrity and respect, the 'Always Will Be' soap uses natural ingredients ethically sourced from First Nations suppliers, such as Dutjahn sandalwood oil and The Tasmanian Follow the Flowers Alliance eucalyptus.
75 per cent of the sales price will be donated directly to Clothing The Gaps to support education and advocacy campaigns that benefit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities.
Jessielee Pearce, Lush Australia's Advocacy and Activism Executive, says this campaign follows in the footsteps of Lush's ongoing social justice efforts.
"Lush has been actively campaigning for social justice since the brand's inception in 1995. We believe we have a responsibility to provide a platform for the people and groups on the ground fighting for what is right and in amplifying their voices, leave the world Lusher than we found it," she said.
"Guided by First Nations communities, we're proud to create spaces that help educate, spark conversation and support action," Ms Pearce continued.
Support can be shown by signing the petition online, joining conversations in Lush stores across the country, and purchasing the Always Will Be soap online to fund Clothing The Gap's campaigning.
