80 local council areas cancel Australia Day citizenship ceremonies

In a move that is set to further ignite debate about the future of Australia Day, more than 80 councils are set to dump their traditional citizenship ceremonies.

In a shock move that is set to further ignite debate about the future of Australia Day more than 80 local councils across Australia will dump their traditional citizenship ceremonies on January 26.

In 2022, only four councils across Australia chose not to hold Australia Day citizenship ceremonies — three in Melbourne and the City of Sydney.

But a year later, despite the Voice being resoundingly defeated, at least 81 councils nationwide announced they would not be holding citizenship ­ceremonies on January 26.

The change follows a decision by the Albanese government in December 2022 to revoke a rule that would effectively force local councils to hold citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day.

Greater Shepparton City Council will be the next council in the state's north to axe Australia Day celebrations. Picture: Supplied

According to the Daily Telegraph,the surge in council’s choosing not to mark the country’s national day has prompted accusations from opposition immigration spokesman Dan Tehan that the Albanese government “is laying the groundwork” for its abolition.

Mr Albanese had said even though the government had given councils a choice, they should continue to conduct them, pledging: “I support Australia Day.”

He rejected charges from the opposition that his government was determined to kill Australia Day, firmly saying: “there are no changes here”.

Sydney Mayor Clover Moore has led the charge against Australia Day, describing it as “painful” for many.

Ms Moore said the City of Sydney will be holding ceremonies on January 29 instead, in line with the new government code, just as they did this year.

She said ceremonies formerly held on January 26 in the City of Sydney had low turnouts of only 10-15 people, while their new January 29 date is expected to see 160 people become Australian citizens.

Ms Moore also put her full support behind changing the date of Australia Day, claiming that “the date of a national celebration should not be on Invasion Day”.

Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

However, some councils are reporting blowback.

Bundaberg councillor Greg Barnes told The Courier Mailsaid the revelation the region had moved the date prompted fury among locals, with nine residents voicing their opposition to the move at a public appearance on Saturday morning.

Mr Barnes said he got “absolutely hammered” by residents about the issue, and insisted the ceremony will be held the day before January 26 to allow all councillors to attend the event.

He said he was supportive of the national celebration, declaring: “Australia Day to me is Australia Day”.

Rockhampton Mayor Tony Williams said his council also planned to hold the ceremony the evening before to avoid severe heat at outdoor events, citing an instance at last year’s Australia Day where an attendee suffered heat stroke.

He also insisted the decision was unrelated to Indigenous concerns, saying “that wasn’t part of the thinking”.