Geelong council’s Australia Day move elicits mixed responses from local pollies
Geelong state and federal politicians have had their say on City Hall’s controversial move to overturn a May 2023 motion that was underpinned by an extensive community consultation campaign. READ WHAT THEY SAID.
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Geelong MP Christine Couzens has slammed City Hall over its controversial Australia Day move, claiming councillors are inciting division in the community and causing significant harm to First Nations people.
But Corio MP and Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles surprisingly welcomed the council’s decision.
Ms Couzens, state Labor’s Parliamentary Secretary for First Peoples, also questioned why the motion that passed at Tuesday’s meeting specifically referenced the 447 Indigenous respondents to council’s six-month consultation period that concluded in 2022.
Measures outlined in the motion include January 26 again being called Australia Day, citizenship ceremonies returning, and ceasing lobbying the federal government to change the date.
“Will the City of Greater Geelong council be racially profiling all respondents to their consultation surveys?” she asked.
Ms Couzens, Geelong MP since 2014, said the seven councillors who supported the motion had disregarded community consulted decisions, which she labelled “unacceptable behaviour”.
“All the survey respondents responded in good faith with the expectation that their views would be taken seriously,” she said.
“This survey attracted more responses than any other council survey from what I can see, so why have these respondents been cast aside, as if they are not relevant?”
Mr Marles said Australia Day was a day for all Australians to reflect, respect and celebrate.
“It has been the government’s view that Australia Day should continue to be held on January 26,” he said.
“This is a welcome decision from the Geelong council.”
The council motion, introduced by Eddy Kontelj, was supported by Andrew Katos, Trent Sullivan, Rowan Story, Chris Burson, Ron Nelson and Mayor Stretch Kontelj.
It effectively overturns a May 2023 motion that was underpinned by the community consultation.
Eddy Kontelj acknowledged his motion would “not sit comfortably with a portion of the community” but said he had been inundated with feedback from residents who opposed council’s unanimous decision last year.
It was opposed by Emma Sinclair, Anthony Aitken, Elise Wilkinson and Melissa Cadwell.
A report will now be prepared and presented to council at its January 28 meeting that will almost certainly be endorsed, but won’t come into effect until 2026.
An online Addy poll overwhelmingly supports council’s position, with 94 per cent of almost 3800 votes agreeing that councils should be forced to hold citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day.
Senator Sarah Henderson slammed the community consultation as a “sham” and urged councils across the country to follow City Hall’s lead.
“I am delighted that a new council has been elected which is prepared to get back to basics and put the community first,” she said.
Her comments were echoed by fellow Liberal, Victorian upper house member Bev McArthur, who said the move was “a victory for patriotism and common sense over political correctness”.
“This decision, boldly supported by newly elected Mayor Stretch Kontelj, reflects the will of the community to honour our history rather than rewrite it,” she said.
“By reinstating Australia Day, Geelong is leading the way in celebrating what unites us as Australians.”
Former councillor Sarah Hathway has been a key figure within the recently formed Be Tru 2 Uluru group, which gathered outside City Hall prior to Tuesday’s meeting and later condemned the seven councillors who supported the motion.
“The Mayor Stretch Kontelj, Eddy’s brother, barely held the council meeting together and showed no impartial leadership, through closing down supporting councillors to poor meeting governance practices,” Ms Hathway said.
WHAT THEY SAID – STATE MPs
Bellarine MP Alison Marchant
“Citizenship ceremonies are a matter for local councils and the federal governments, however as a state government we support Australia Day events that celebrate and encourage reflection, togetherness and inclusion.
“The community consultation undertaken last year recognises that January 26 means different things to different people.
“It is up to council to communicate and explain what consultation they undertook before this motion on Tuesday night.”
Geelong MP Christine Couzens
“The fact is that the City of Greater Geelong Council started the conversation and consultation regarding January 26th, which led to the acceptance of motion in May 2023.
“Let’s be clear, it was not about banning Australia Day, let’s get the facts right.
“Regardless of the issue, the City of Greater Geelong Council processes, or lack thereof, and their willingness to ignore, disregard and change community consulted decisions, at the whim of selected councillors is unacceptable behaviour.
“All the survey respondents responded in good faith with the expectation that their views would be taken seriously.
“This survey attracted more responses than any other council survey from what I can see, so why have these respondents been cast aside, as if they are not relevant?
“This council is now causing significant harm to First Peoples and inciting division in our community.
“The fact that the published motion background put to Tuesday night’s Council meeting, singles out that 447 First Peoples responded.
“So, I ask, will the City of Greater Geelong Council be racially profiling all respondents to their consultation surveys?
“Will, in any further Council consultations/surveys the respondents be dismissed if it is below 952, is this the councils new benchmark?”
Lara MP Ella George
“The City of Greater Geelong’s decision about Australia Day may be disappointing to some, particularly those who took part in the original consultation and First Nations people in our region.
“The State Government’s focus is on building an inclusive Victoria and supporting events that celebrate diversity and encourage reflection.
“We’re committed to Voice, Treaty and Truth for First Nations people – and a council decision won’t get in the way of that.”
South Barwon MP Darren Cheeseman
Did not respond.
Western Victoria upper house MLC Bev McArthur
“This is a significant step in reaffirming our national identity and pride.
“Australia Day is an opportunity for all Australians, regardless of their background, to come together and celebrate the freedoms, opportunities, and successes of our great nation.
“January 26 is not about division – it’s about acknowledging how far we’ve come and the bright future ahead.
“This decision, boldly supported by newly elected Mayor Stretch Kontelj, reflects the will of the community to honour our history rather than rewrite it.
“By reinstating Australia Day, Geelong is leading the way in celebrating what unites us as Australians.”
WHAT THEY SAID – FEDERAL MPs
Corangamite MP Libby Coker
“The government has made clear that it’s up to local councils to decide how they recognise Australia Day.
“Many in our community have passionate views and I would hope that all views are considered when making these decisions.”
Corio MP Richard Marles
“Australia Day is a day for all Australians to reflect, respect and celebrate.
“It has been the Government’s view that Australia Day should continue to be held on 26 January.
“This is a welcome decision from the Geelong council.”
Victorian Senator Sarah Henderson
“The decision by the City of Greater Geelong to restore Australia Day celebrations is a powerful rejection of the divisive activism stoked by the Albanese Labor government.
“I congratulate Mayor Stretch Kontelj and the councillors who have stood up to protect and celebrate our national day. I urge all councils to follow their lead.
“Following a sham consultation, Greater Geelong’s decision in May 2023 to abandon local celebrations and not even acknowledge Australia Day was a disgrace.
“I am delighted that a new council has been elected which is prepared to get back to basics and put the community first.
“Australia Day is a time to unite and celebrate our shared values and achievements, not divide.
“Yet, under Labor, this important day is steadily being eroded.
“By allowing councils to cancel citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day, Prime Minister Albanese is actively undermining the significance of our national day.
“The Coalition is committed to reversing Labor’s damaging changes and restoring citizenship ceremonies to their rightful place on Australia Day.
“By not standing up for Australia Day, Corio MP Richard Marles and Corangamite MP Libby Coker have shown how out of touch they are with our community.
“Australians love our country and are fed up with bowing to woke agendas and divisive identity politics.
“Under Peter Dutton’s leadership, a core mission of a future Coalition government is to build national pride in our great country which is why we will fight to protect our traditions in the best interests of all Australians.”
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