Local governments should “stop playing politics” with Australia Day, says regional mayor Michael Pengilly

South Australian councils should stop “playing politics” with Australia Day and community celebrations should be left held on January 26, according to a regional mayor.

Mayor Pengilly said his community enjoyed and expected a celebration on Australia Day.

South Australian councils should stop “playing politics” with Australia Day and community celebrations should be left to January 26, according to a regional mayor.

Kangaroo Island Mayor Michael Pengilly had a stern message for councils: “do what you’re meant to do; look after roads, rates and rubbish”.

The reaction comes after multiple South Australian councils abandon official Australia Day celebrations – including citizenship ceremonies – out of respect for the “culture and values” of First Nations people.

On Thursday, The Advertiser revealed the Adelaide Hills Council as the latest council to not support events held on January 26, joining the City of Unley, City of Mitcham and Port Adelaide Enfield Council in choosing not to officially celebrate the national day.

The City of Prospect has also flagged changes are likely, while the Onkaparinga City Council is undertaking community consultation about holding events on Australia Day.

Mayor of Kangaroo Island’s Michael Pengilly. Picture: Matt Loxton

However, Mayor Pengilly said his community enjoyed and expected a celebration on Australia Day.

“I am disappointed some of the councils are playing politics – I think politics are for state and federal governments and they should butt out of it … I think local governments should stick to local issues,” he said.

“Australia is Australia Day and you should leave it as is.

“Personally I would not be supportive of changing the date or dumping it at all.”

Mayor Pengilly said while Prime Minister Anthony Albanese held firm on not changing the date of Australia Day, local councils should respect that and recognise the occasion.

Fellow regional mayor Paul Simmons – of the Coorong District Council – said he felt the Australia Day ceremonies held in multiple towns across his region were a “non-issue” for his constituents and some city councils had “nothing else to worry about”.

“You see this at forums, (city councils) are after things like this as a principled issue and we are more worried about having enough money to clean the streets and grow the roads,” he said.

He said he did not see value in changing his council’s annual award and citizen ceremonies out of respect for First Nation people.

“I regard our local Indigenous people as some of the most understanding and gentle people around, we don’t get any comments or pushback,” he said.

“I wouldn’t imagine it would ever be raised as an issue to change the day.

“Australia Day is still Australia Day as far as I’m concerned … I sense there is no movement for change at all here.

“I have a pretty conservative council … If I was to even float the idea (of changing the date) would get an enormous push back immediately.”