Triple j’s Hottest 100 countdown will not be held on Australia Day next year, after “increasing debate” of what January 26 means for Indigenous Australians.

The year’s biggest music celebration will be held on January 27, 2018, the day after Australia Day.

Triple j announced the change on Monday, stating the event should be for everyone to enjoy together.

“In recent years the Hottest 100 has become a symbol in the debate about Australia Day. The Hottest 100 wasn’t created as an Australia Day celebration,” triple j said on its website.

“It was created to celebrate your favourite songs of the past year. It should be an event that everyone can enjoy together – for both the musicians whose songs make it in and for everyone listening in Australia and around the world. This is really important to us.”

The reaction on social media was swift, with Communications Minister, Senator Mitch Fifield, saying he was “bewildered” by the decision, while others applauded the move.

https://twitter.com/BevanShields/status/935019173620543489

Great call by @triplej moving the Hottest 100 to make it inclusive of all Australians. Cue the white tears. And those people need to be educated so use the opportunity to do so. May I suggest by starting with the term 'Recognition'.

— Casey Conway (@caseyconway_) November 27, 2017

Brave and respectful decision by @triplej that Indigenous Australians will welcome #auspol

— Patricia Karvelas (@PatsKarvelas) November 27, 2017

It comes after the station surveyed its audience’s perspective in 2016, with 60 per cent of the 65,000 responses in favour of changing the date.

“For those that don’t want the date to move, we have heard you,” triple j said.

“We’ve listened closely to how all of you felt about the Hottest 100 and responded with what’s the right choice, right now, that reflects the variety of complicated views.”

During last year’s countdown, prolific Indigenous hip-hop group A.B. Original prompted much debate, with their impassioned song, January 26, coming in at number 16.

“Australia Day is a very apprehensive day — and that’s putting it mildly — for the Indigenous people of our country,” Briggs, one half of the duo, said at the time.

“There’s different points of view on what should be done and how things should be done but the main objective, and what we’re all striving for regardless of our points of view, is to move forward.

“And move forward in a way that’s respectful and understands why we need to move forward.”

It also followed the decision of Yarra City Council, and other councils around the country, to not hold citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day.

A.B. Original’s January 26