Geelong council Australia Day motion appears likely to pass

See what Geelong’s councillors had to say about their position on celebrating January 26 as Australia Day.

Cr Eddy Kontelj will bring forward the motion on Tuesday night. Picture: Alan Barber

A motion that could see Geelong council recognise January 26 as Australia Day again appears set to pass, but not without some push back.

Responses to a Geelong Addy survey, which asked council candidates whether they believe Australia Day should remain on January 26, revealed that seven out of 11 explicitly support the date.

Among them are new mayor Stretch Kontelj, his deputy Ron Nelson, and fellow Liberal Party affiliates Andrew Katos, Trent Sullivan and Rowan Story.

Their responses suggest they will likely support the motion which will brought forward by Eddy Kontelj at Tuesday nights meeting.

Former deputy mayor Anthony Aitken also said he would “continue to vote that Geelong council funds events on Australia Day”.

Elise Wilkinson and Emma Sinclair both stated that they would like to see the date changed.

Eddy Kontelj’s motion recommends council note that the proclamation of the date for Australia Day is the responsibility of the federal government and request the chief executive prepare a report for the January 2025 council meeting.

In May 2023 the councillors of Geelong, including Eddy Kontelj, voted unanimously to cease referring to January 26 and change the way it recognised the date.

Connewarre ward Geelong councillor Elise Wilkinson has called for the date of Australia Day to be changed.

This decision was made in consultation with Kilangitj Aboriginal Advisory Committee – a advisory committee which provides council with cultural guidance on First Nations initiatives.

One of the main concerns with the decision was the fact only 952 people responded to the community consultation survey.

The City of Greater Geelong refused to answer whether the committee, not mentioned in the new agenda item, had been consulted.

Eddy Kontelj said a “large majority of the community” felt as though council should not engage in issues that are the responsibility of other levels of government.

“The proclamation of Australia Day is the responsibility of the federal government, not council,” he said.

Sarah Mansfield has slammed the move Picture: Alison Wynd

“(The motion) is confirming our support that federal government says Australia Day is January 26 and we’ll commemorate the day accordingly, which may include citizenship services and more.”

Ex-councillor and current Greens MP for Western Victoria Sarah Mansfield slammed the motion, labelling it a “cynical move”.

“Council’s unanimous decision last year to change the way they acknowledge January 26 followed years of very careful and considered consultation,” Ms Mansfield said.

“In my view, (Eddy) Kontelj’s dismissal of that process is disingenuous and disrespectful to all those who took part.

“He was part of the council that oversaw and approved that process and its outcomes – so one has to ask, why is he doing this now?”

Originally published as Geelong council Australia Day motion appears likely to pass