Jacinta Allan not enthused about return of Melb’s Australia Day parade

Jacinta Allan says bringing back Melbourne’s Australia Day parade is not her decision after it was quietly shelved for the third year in a row. Have your say.

Jacinta Allan has poured cold water on the idea of Melbourne’s Australia Day parade ever making a comeback.

The state government last year quietly shelved the annual event for the third consecutive year after it was first cancelled in 2021 because of Covid.

It will not return this year.

Official events in Melbourne will include a 21-gun salute, a Royal Australian Air Force flyover, and a mini festival at Federation Square.

Crowds line the streets of Melbourne for an Australia Day parade. Picture: Nicole Cleary

Asked on Friday whether she would ever consider bringing the parade back, Ms Allan said it wasn’t her decision.

“That’s not just a question for me, that’s a question for ... the Australia Day organising committee that involves the City of Melbourne.”

“What is important to note when we’re talking about one parade in the centre of Melbourne is that there are events on Australia Day that are held in county communities, regional centres and in the suburbs.

“There are a huge number of local events, local events where local communities are coming together to mark Australia Day and mark it in a way that’s appropriate to that community.

“And this is an important point because there are some in our community for whom Australia Day is a difficult day, and there are events and activities in their local communities to support them.”

Asked whether she was happy not to have a “state-level” celebration, Ms Allan said “well, yes”.

“It keeps people connected to their local communities, is the point effectively I’m endeavouring to make.”

Jacinta Allan says it’s not her decision whether to bring back an Australia Day parade. Picture: James Ross

A government website promoting events across the city marked for January 26 notes the day “represents a day of mourning and reflection for some Victorians.”

“The Victorian government is committed to addressing past and ongoing injustices through Treaty and the truth-telling work of the Yoorrook Justice Commission,” it said.

In 2022 the City of Melbourne announced it would lobby the federal government to change the date of Australia Day, following an independent survey which showed majority support for the move.

“It’s clear there is majority support in our municipality to change the date on which we celebrate our nation – that’s why we will lobby the federal government to change the date of Australia Day,” Lord Mayor Sally Capp said at the time.

“We’ve sought feedback from a wide range of voices in our community to understand the most unifying way to celebrate what it means to be Australian.

“It’s ultimately the federal government’s decision to change the date. Until then, we will continue to support a range of activities on 26 January, including citizenship ceremonies.”