A day off for NSW to celebrate the culture and heritage of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders is on the cards, providing Labor is victorious at the 2019 state election.

Delegates from Wagga were supported by Indigenous MP Linda Burney in pushing for a “new Australia Day” at Labor’s weekend state conference.

Ms Burney spoke of the “tragic cost” to Aboriginal culture inflicted by the arrival of the First Fleet when rallying behind the motion.

Under the proposal, Australia Day would still be celebrated on January 26, with the new public holiday taking place later in the year. 

Wagga Labor’s Tim Kurylowicz described it as a “historic, wildcard” motion that garnered plenty of enthusiasm. 

“We were really proud that a Wiradjuri MP was speaking on a motion that the Wagga branch put up,” he said.

“It’s something that all Australians can be really excited about and for Ms Burney to support it, it shows that it has a lot of weight.

“Indigenous Australians will get the recognition they deserve.”

If passed, the public holiday would be the state's 12^th  – one less than Victoria’s 13 after the addition of the AFL Grand Final Holiday.

Controversial Aboriginal activist Joe Williams was dismissive of Labor's motion, describing it as “a bit of a cop out”.

The star rugby league player turned youth and mental health crusader said while it was a positive to have the issue discussed, the issue remains with January 26.

“It takes away the whole significance of fighting to move it (Australia Day) and it just feels like an attempt to shut us up,” he said. 

“The pain and trauma that arises from January 26 is the reason we want to change it.

“We already have NAIDOC week and Sorry Day – we want a day to celebrate with the rest of Australia.”