Councils toe the line on Australia Day citizenship ceremonies

Every local council in the country that has the power to hold citizenship ceremonies on January 26 will do so, Alan Tudge says.

Every local council in the country that has the power to hold citizenship ceremonies on January 26 will do so. Picture: Supplied

Every local council in the country that has the power to hold citizenship ceremonies on January 26 will do so, according to Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge, after the Morrison government issued new rules for Australia Day.

The victory for the Coalition comes as the nation’s usually fervent Australia Day debate has calmed as a result of the bushfires and the stronger push to retain January 26.

Mr Tudge told The Weekend Australian that all councils that are allowed to hold ceremonies would conduct one, including councils like Sydney’s Inner West Council which have been reluctant to hold Australia Day events.

“In fact it was on January 26 in 1948 that Australian citizenship was first introduced … It’s the perfect day to celebrate our nation and our successes,” he said.

Alan Tudge. Picture: Alison Wynd

“This is the first year that we’ve required councils to hold a citizenship ceremony on Australia Day, and it’s proven to be overwhelmingly positive as every council that is required to is holding a ceremony on Australia Day,” Mr Tudge said.

“Even councils affected by bushfires are going ahead with their ceremonies as they recognise how important they are to new citizens and the broader community.”

Mr Tudge had warned councils on Wednesday to support Australia Day or face being stripped of their right to hold future ceremonies.

Yarra City and Darebin councils in Melbourne have already lost that right while Moreland, Inner West, Fremantle, Flinders Island, Launceston and Byron Shire councils had previously threatened to not hold citizenship ceremonies, shift Australia Day celebrations to January 25 and rename events.

A raft of “Invasion Day” protests will still to be held on Australia Day by indigenous activists who say the day represents colonialism and dispossession of Aboriginal people.

Melbourne’s Invasion Day protest is set to be attended by 5000 people according to Facebook, down on 6300 who clicked attending last year.

Anthony Albanese has pledged to keep Australia Day on January 26 but wants to do more to make indigenous Australians feel more included in the divisive national holiday.

Mr Albanese will spend Australia Day on Sunday in the Blue Mountains to pay tribute to firefighters and bushfire victims.

Scott Morrison will attend the citizenship ceremony in Canberra and also plans to pay tribute to bushfire victims and firefighters on the day at other events.

Mr Tudge said this Australia Day he will be focused on the multicultural Australians who have rallied to supported bushfire-ravaged communities.

“The Australian Chinese Charity Foundation, for example, has already raised $110,000 and

has further events planned during the upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations to raise

more,” he said.

“The Hindu and Sikh communities have been organising hot meals to take to affected areas. “The Vietnamese community has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars through various

fundraising initiatives and events, with their upcoming Tet (Nguyen Dan) celebrations likely to raise even more.

“Buddhist monks have also been on hand to give massages to weary firefighters. Muslim communities have been hosting barbecues for survivors to offer comfort and

solidarity.

“This is the true Australian spirit.”