Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has hit back at The Greens for demanding the date of Australia Day be changed.

Greens leader Richard Di Natale has called for January 26 to be scrapped, saying it represents “theft” and “genocide”.

Mr Joyce tells Steve Price the Greens just debate “undergraduate issues” but never get anything done.

“We’re making the nation better and the Greens just jump from one philosophical debate to another.

“They’re off the same-sex marriage debate and now they’re on to changing Australia Day. I mean what the hell is that going to do?”

Mr Joyce says if the Greens don’t want to celebrate, the rest of Australia will.

“If the Greens don’t want to celebrate, they can go sit in the corner and suck their thumbs.”

Click PLAY below for the full interview