PM Scott Morrison blasts Byron Shire Council over Australia Day date changes

A LOCAL council planning to scrap Australia Day will be banned from holding citizenship ceremonies, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison blasting the move as an attempt to “rewrite history”.

A LOCAL council planning to scrap Australia Day will be banned from holding citizenship ceremonies.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has blasted the move as an ­attempt to “rewrite history”.

The Herald Sun can reveal Byron Shire Council, in northern NSW, will be stripped of the right to host the ceremonies if it goes ahead with its plan to move the event.

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison says councils are trying to “rewrite history”. Picture: Hollie Adams

It follows two Melbourne councils last year moving their citizenship ceremonies away from January 26.

“Their job is to book the hall and conduct the ceremony with respect and dignity, in ­accordance with the procedures set out by the elected ­national Government,” Mr Morrison said. “If they are not prepared to respect these ground rules, other arrangements can be made with those who want to promote unity on our national day.”

Byron Shire Council wants to move its event to the evening of January 25, saying the following day marked “the day the cultural decimation and denigration of the First Australians began”.

Immigration Minister David Coleman said the council was politicising citizenship ceremonies.

“Byron Council has sought to politicise what should be a non-political day of celebration that

brings communities together,” Mr Coleman said.