Anthony Albanese removes sanctions for council critics of Australia Day

Councils will be free to stop holding citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day without sanction from the federal government, ­a decision reheating the culture war on the date.

Mackay mayor Greg Williamson presides over a citizenship ceremony on Australia Day this year. Picture: Duncan Evans

Councils will be free to stop holding citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day without sanction from the federal government, ­a decision reheating the culture war on the date of the ­national celebration.

Anthony Albanese said he ­expected councils to hold citizenship ceremonies on January 26 despite announcing a reversal of the former Coalition government’s sanctions against councils that refused to.

The Coalition accused Labor of undermining Australia Day but the Prime Minister has vowed to keep the date of the ­national day on January 26.

The move will restore the rights of councils – such as Yarra and Darebin in Melbourne – to hold citizenship ceremonies throughout the year if they ­refuse to hold them on January 26 as a protest about the date of the ­national day.

Greens senator Nick McKim said Mr Albanese’s policy was “great to see”.

“The Liberals forcing councils to hold citizenship ceremonies on Invasion Day was deeply disrespectful to First Nations people and it belongs exactly where it’s ended up – in the bin,” he said.

Mr Albanese said the rule change was designed to make it easier for people to become Australian citizens, rather than ­punishing them for the decisions of councillors.

“We think that councils should conduct citizenship ceremonies on Australia Day. That’s what my local council will be doing,” Mr Albanese said.

“But the rules, the way that they were fashioned, meant that citizens who are not part of the decisions of when ceremonies would be were missing out on ­becoming Australian citizens.

“We want people to become Australian citizens. And that is why we should not place red tape for ideological reasons in front of that opportunity.”

Citizenship Minister Andrew Giles said councils were also concerned about the higher cost of running ceremonies on the public holiday.

But while Mr Albanese and Mr Giles were labelling it a pragmatic and operational decision, Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the move was about ending “culture wars” over citizenship ceremonies.

“Councils in our own areas will make their own decisions. They’re perfectly mature and sensible enough, in consultation with their communities, to make the decision,” he said.

“They don’t need the ministers in Canberra telling them how to do their jobs or to celebrate on Australia Day or any other day. Communities can make those ­decisions.”

Opposition immigration spokesman Dan Tehan said Labor was folding to Greens-dominated councils that wanted to change the date of Australia Day.

“Labor are undermining the significance of Australia Day and bowing to pressure from Labor-Greens dominated councils by ­allowing them not to hold citizenship ceremonies on January 26,” he said.

“Australia Day is a proud day for the many thousands of people who will join our multicultural family and become Australian citizens.

“Now the message they are ­receiving from the Albanese government is that January 26 is no more special than any other day of that week.

“Make no mistake, this is Labor laying the groundwork to abolish January 26 as Australia Day despite Anthony Albanese promising during the election campaign that Labor had no plans to change the date of our national day.”

Mr Albanese said his government would never propose changing the date of the national day. “I support Australia Day. The government supports Australia Day,” he said.

Australian Local Government Association president Linda Scott — a member of Logan City Council – said it was the right move.

“We have consistently advocated for individual councils to mark Australia Day, and the timing of local events, as a matter for local governments, knowing that we strive to reflect the broad wishes and aspirations of communities,” she said.

“It’s the responsibility of individual councils to be responsive and respect the views of our local communities.”

City of Yarra Mayor Claudia Nguyen said the council was ­“delighted to once again be able to host citizenship ceremonies”.

“For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our community, January 26 is a day of mourning, pain and disconnection,” she said.

Darebin Mayor Julie Williams also said she was “thrilled” by the decision.

Merri-bek City Council – formerly Moreland City Council in Melbourne – recently decided to swap citizenship celebrations for mourning ceremonies on January 26.

Mayor Angelica Panopoulos, a member of the Greens, said the council would host its next citizenship ceremony on January 24, and looked forward to many ceremonies to celebrate “what it means to be Australian”.

“We are grateful that the federal government will allow us, and all councils, to listen to our communities and make decisions that are right for us,” she said.