Moreland Council was not consulted on impending changes to Australia Day citizenship ceremonies

Scott Morrison’s plan to lock in citizenship ceremonies on the national day was not run past Moreland Council, who no longer refer to January 26 as Australia Day.

A proposal to lock in citizenship ceremonies at councils across the nation on Australia Day was not raised with Moreland Council before it was announced by the Federal Government on January 13.

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the government had revised the citizenship code, enforcing all councils in the nation to hold a citizenship ceremony on January 26 and on September 17, which is Australian Citizenship Day, from 2020.

Far-right protesters and police outside the Coburg Town Hall on Australia Day in 2018. Picture: Aaron Francis

But the council’s acting business transformation director Jodie Watson said the council was not consulted before the changes were made.

The council held ceremonies on Australia Day and eight other occasions in 2018, but not September 17.

Ms Watson said 714 people attended citizenship ceremonies run by the council in 2018, including 75 on Australia Day.

Mr Morrison also said a dress code would be enforced at future ceremonies as it was “the right thing to do to show respect” at the ceremonies.

When asked by Moreland Leader, the council said it didn’t have a position on the changes.

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