The ABC's board will be asked to reconsider triple j's decision to move the date of its highly successful Hottest 100 countdown away from Australia Day, according to the Communications Minister.

Key points: Triple j says Hottest 100 was not created as Australia Day celebration, wants to remove itself from political debate

Triple j says Hottest 100 was not created as Australia Day celebration, wants to remove itself from political debate Communications Minister Mitch Fifield says he will be asking ABC board to review decision

Communications Minister Mitch Fifield says he will be asking ABC board to review decision Fellow Liberal MP Alex Hawke told triple j yesterday "the Government doesn't understand it"

The scheduling change was announced yesterday and has caused significant brouhaha among politicians, with some criticising the ABC for seeking to "delegitimise" Australia Day.

Triple j management argue the Hottest 100 was not created as an Australia Day celebration, and it had consulted with its audience, the music industry and Indigenous Australians about whether changing the date was necessary.

"There are a relatively small number of people who have an issue with the fact that Australia Day is celebrated on January 26," Communications Minister Mitch Fifield told News Breakfast.

"I already have made my view clear to the ABC.

"And I'll be asking the board of the ABC, who have the ultimate programming and editorial responsibility, to reconsider this."

A statement from the ABC board published this morning said the decision to move the date of the countdown would "benefit everyone".

"Triple j's community continues to celebrate the countdown and the great music, now over an extended weekend, while the network has more time to join the rest of the ABC in providing comprehensive coverage of Australia Day," the statement said.

"Its 2018 program includes an interview with the Young Australian of the Year, and crosses to other Australia Day activities, including Indigenous events like Yabun."

The station's announcement yesterday included its special programming plans for Australia Day 2018. It will broadcast Australian artists all day and feature events including citizenship ceremonies and the Australia v England One Day International cricket series.

Mr Fifield initially said he was "bewildered" by yesterday's announcement.

"The ABC shouldn't be buying into this debate," he said in a statement.

"Australia Day is our national day. The ABC should honour it and not mess with the Hottest 100."

Fellow Liberal MP Alex Hawke also shared his disappointment on the decision in an interview with the radio station's news and current affairs program, Hack.

"It's hard to see how it can't be interpreted as a little bit political," he said.

"There has been this conversation started by some protest groups about Australia Day being held on January 26, and there's no real clear reason why we need to move the Hottest 100 away from January 26, Australia Day.

"I don't understand it. I think the Government doesn't understand it.

"The Government's view is that Australia Day should continue to be held on January 26 and it's an appropriate day to mark the good things about our history and the things that aren't so good about our history."