‘Playing politics’: Qld MPs outraged over Australia Day call
Federal Labor has been accused of “playing politics” with local Australia Day citizenship ceremonies. VOTE IN THE POLL
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Labor has been accused of “playing politics” with local Australia Day citizenship ceremonies after Immigration Minister Andrew Giles refused to grant authority to state MPs to preside over local events.
A number of Queensland state MPs have presided over the local ceremonies for years including LNP Deputy Leader Jarrod Bleijie, who has taken up the gig for the past 12 years after being granted the authority by the relevant federal minister each year.
Letters seen by The Courier-Mail reveal Mr Bleijie’s local Rotary Club in Mooloolaba had been attempting to confirm the authorisation for months in the lead up to Thursday’s Australia Day citizenship ceremony.
But just a week out, the club and Mr Bleijie were informed Mr Giles had rejected the request – with other state MPs also rejected.
“The Hon. Andrew Giles MP, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs considered the request for your one-off authorisation and similar requests made by state MPs for the same purpose, and has not agreed to these requests,” a letter from the Department of Home Affairs reads.
“The Department has advised the Rotary Club of Mooloolaba of the Minister’s decision.
The letter is dated January 20 – just six days before the ceremony, despite the request being put forward several months earlier – with the acknowledgment the “timing of the notification of this decision is not ideal”.
“However, the department will continue to work with the club to ensure that a presiding officer is available for the ceremony on Australia Day 2023.”
Mr Bleijie said such ceremonies should “not be political”.
“Australia Day citizenship ceremonies should be about the new citizens becoming Australians and enjoying everything there is to enjoy being an Australian,” he said.
“Unfortunately, the new Federal Labor government have chosen to play politics and now deny state MPs the ability to preside over citizenship ceremonies, which we have been doing on behalf of our communities for years on end.”
Minister for Immigration Andrew Giles referred questions on the matter to the Department of Home Affairs.
“Local Federal MPs or certain local government council representatives are authorised as presiding officers, and should be afforded this opportunity at citizenship ceremonies,” a spokesperson told The Courier-Mail.
“This doesn’t preclude others from having a prominent role in the official proceedings, for example, by being invited to make an address at the event.
“Many council-hosted ceremonies include an address by a local state MP, for instance.”
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