Melbourne City Council to campaign to change the date of Australia Day

Critics say City of Melbourne has no mandate to use ratepayer funds to lobby for the date of Australia Day to be changed.

A Town Hall move to lobby to change the date of Australia Day has been described as a waste of ratepayer funds.

A divided City of Melbourne meeting on Tuesday night voted for a plan to campaign for the date to be moved from January 26 because of Indigenous sensitivities.

Two councillors opposed the motion, including city activation portfolio lead Roshena Campbell, who said she was proud of the nation’s Indigenous history.

“Australia Day is a day of reflection on the long, sometimes difficult, but ultimately proud history of this country, including the history of modern Australia from 1788,” she said.

Ms Campbell said councillors had no mandate to use ratepayer dollars to support the change the date campaign.

“No resident or business has told me that they want their rates used for that purpose, to the contrary, they tell me that they’re appalled we devote our resources to this, and spend their rates on it, particularly now, given the challenges facing our city,” she said.

Participants take part in the Australia Day parade celebrations in Melbourne.

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said that leaders of the municipality’s traditional owner groups, and a surveyed majority of residents and business owners wanted a date change.

“I love celebrating Australia Day, this debate tonight is not about creating arguments or division, it’s about how and when we can bring everyone together to celebrate what it means to be Australian,” she said.

Greens councillor Rohan Leppert said that January 26, which marks the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788, was symbolic of invasion, dispossession and attempted genocide.

Fellow Greens councillor Dr Olivia Ball said the motion was not a denial of history.

“It’s an acknowledgment of our history … I like to characterise that as a maturing of our nation,” she said.

Voting against the motion, councillor Jason Chang said that many migrants had contacted him to express support for Australia Day on January 26 as they felt it was “their day”.

The motion was carried 7-2, with one abstention.

Council will continue to hold federal citizenship ceremonies on January 26, as well as support various Indigenous events.

Indigenous elder Ian Hunter has blasted the change the date movement. Picture: Jason Edwards

Wurundjeri elder Ian Hunter said council’s proposed campaign was not supported by all Aboriginal people.

“If they change the date, what else are the white Indigenous people going to have to complain about,” he said.

“It’s urban people with some Indigenous heritage jumping up and down, it’s not traditional people.”

Mr Hunter, who performs cultural ceremonies and gives talks, said that unlike special Indigenous days like Sorry Day, Australia Day was an opportunity for mainstream Australians to connect with Aboriginal people.

“Australia Day is a time we can talk about our history and culture, we have the opportunity to teach and tell stories,” he said.

A separate council report said a recent survey revealed low levels of understanding of Melbourne’s Aboriginal heritage and culture.