Why City of Yarra councillors have the right to cancel Australia Day

THE City of Yarra has every right to cancel its Australia Day celebrations, and it is the federal government that is being authoritarian and undemocratic, writes Wendy Tuohy.

OF course the City of Yarra has the right to cancel its Australia Day celebrations and not face retribution.

Local councils not only have every right to be political — even if they do something that clashes with your personal politics — residents expect it.

Councillors are elected by constituents like every other level of Australian government; they are given a mandate to act.

HIJACK OZ DAY AT YOUR PERIL, COUNCILS WARNED

PM BACKLASH AS YARRA MOVES AUSTRALIA DAY

City of Yarra councillors have moved Australia Day in a show of respect for indigenous history. Picture: Chris Hopkins/Getty Images

Suggestions around today that all residents expect councils to do is manage “rates, roads and rubbish” reflect a totally outdated view of what people want from local government.

To state the obvious: councillors stand on issues, people vote for them if the political leanings of candidates appeal, and winning a seat is a ticket to implement those agendas.

In 2017, the personal is absolutely political and political engagement at grassroots level is at a high.

Some municipalities are more activist than others; some people move to live among more activist communities, believing the values of the area align more closely with their own.

People don’t just care about what happens in the suburb they call home, they want local policies to reflect their views and in Yarra many people recognise January 26 as a day that signifies something negative for indigenous people whose ancestors were disenfranchised (or worse).

Like the City of Melbourne and its very visible support for same sex marriage, Yarra Council is reflecting sentiments from its own back yard.

For the federal government to be reportedly considering withdrawing the city’s right to hold citizenship ceremonies because it has cancelled them on one day of the year, January 26, is authoritarian and undemocratic.

Australia Day is not recognised as a holiday or celebration for indigenous people. Picture: David Crosling

All Yarra councillors want is for a pause to show respect to indigenous history, which is particularly rich in a region where Melbourne’s original residents, the Wurundjeri people lived.

They want the local government body that speaks for them to show respect for indigenous people in the area whose ancestors’ land became their home.

That’s not outrageous; it’s democracy in action. The council, like the MCC, is to be applauded for acting on the will of the people whose lives are most directly impacted by its actions, those who live within its boundaries.

@wtuohy